The maximum interest rate on the LIBOR component of the Company's capped term loan debt.

No definition available.

Name:	dva_DebtInstrumentInterestRatePercentageAboveLiborRate
Namespace Prefix:	dva_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt instrument maturity date year.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	dva_
Data Type:	xbrli:gYearItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt instrument redemption percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	dva_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This line represents the weighted average effective interest rate on the senior secured credit facilities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dva_LineOfCreditWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	dva_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This represents the weighted average effective interest rate on the hedged portion of the senior secured credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	dva_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of the total principal payments made during the annual reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date the debt agreement requires the first payment to be made, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 470

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

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-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The average effective interest rate during the reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

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-Topic 210

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-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Nominal or face amount used to calculate payments on the derivative asset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1B

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-Publisher FASB

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-Glossary Notional Amount

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519104

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

Fair value, before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets elected not to be offset. Excludes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)

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-Topic 815

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-Paragraph 4B

-Subparagraph (a),(c)

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 20

-Section 55

-Paragraph 7

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36459792&loc=SL20226000-175313

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of the assets less the liabilities of a derivative or group of derivatives.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph (a)

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-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 5

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

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-Section 50

-Paragraph 15

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 6

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41271-113958

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

High end of the range of fixed interest rates when a range is presented for a group of interest rate derivatives.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeHigherFixedInterestRateRange
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Low end of the range of fixed interest rates when a range is presented for a group of interest rate derivatives.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLowerFixedInterestRateRange
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Date the derivative contract matures, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeMaturityDates
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense for debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.8)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 8

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of long-term debt outstanding.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount before tax of increase (decrease) in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 11

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=d3e637-108580

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 10A

-Subparagraph (d)

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6441202&loc=d3e80720-113993

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss).

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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Balance Type:
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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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Long-term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap and cap agreements	$ (5,760)	$ (2,505)
Overall weighted average effective interest rate on Senior Secured Credit Facilities	3.44%
Weighted average effective interest rate	4.48%
Overall weighted average effective interest rate	4.47%
HealthCare Partners (HCP)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding letters of credit	1,000
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Undrawn revolving credit facilities	1,000,000
Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding letters of credit	95,000
Interest rate cap agreements
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate agreements, notional amount	3,500,000
Derivative, expiration date	Jun. 30, 2018
Fair value of assets	6,820
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap and cap agreements	(5,521)
Interest rate cap agreements \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable interest rate margin	3.50%
Senior Notes 5.0 Percent Due 2025 \| Subsequent Event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, principal balance			1,500,000
Senior notes, interest rate			5.00%
Senior notes, due date			2025
Senior notes interest payment, first required payment date			Nov. 01, 2015
Senior Notes 6.625 Percent \| Subsequent Event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, principal balance			775,000
Maximum \| Senior Notes 5.0 Percent Due 2025 \| Subsequent Event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of notes that may be redeemed prior to May 1, 2018			35.00%
Term Loan A
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, annual principal payment	12,500
Term Loan A \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable interest rate margin	1.75%
Term Loan A \| Interest rate swap agreements
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate agreements, notional amount	831,250
Fixed interest rate, lower limit	0.49%
Fixed interest rate, upper limit	0.52%
Weighted average effective interest rate	2.26%
Debt instrument, variable interest rate margin	1.75%
Derivative, expiration date	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt expense recognized	722
Fair value of liability, net	(148)
Unrealized pre-tax losses in other comprehensive income	(1,439)
Term Loan A \| Interest rate swap agreements \| Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate agreements, notional amount	131,250
Debt instrument, variable interest rate margin	1.75%
Term Loan B
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, annual principal payment	8,750
LIBOR interest rate for interest cap	2.50%
Term Loan B \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable interest rate margin	2.75%
Term Loan B \| Interest rate cap agreements
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate agreements, notional amount	2,735,000
Derivative, expiration date	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt expense recognized	610
Fair value of assets	357
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap and cap agreements	$ (1,236)
LIBOR interest rate for interest cap	2.50%