v2.4.1.9

Long-term Incentive Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Long-term incentive program (LTIP) expense	$ 33,451dva_LongtermIncentiveProgramCompensationCost	$ 23,100dva_LongtermIncentiveProgramCompensationCost
Stock-based compensation expense	12,762us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense	15,074us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	4,458us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense	5,580us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
Unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding LTIP awards	115,104dva_LongtermIncentiveProgramAwardsCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedNet
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock-based compensation arrangements under equity compensation and stock purchase plans	69,224us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock-based compensation arrangements under performance-based cash component of LTIP costs, weighted average remaining period (in years)	1 year
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock-based compensation arrangements under stock-based component of LTIP costs, weighted average remaining period (in years)	1 year 2 months 12 days
Tax benefits from stock award exercises	9,366us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitRealizedFromExerciseOfStockOptions	22,978us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitRealizedFromExerciseOfStockOptions
Stock Appreciation Rights
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock granted	77us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
Stock appreciation, aggregate grant-date fair value	1,304dva_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardGrantDateFairValueOfOptionsGranted / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
Weighted-average expected life (in years)	4 years 1 month 6 days
Stock Unit
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock granted	64us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = dva_StockUnitMember
Weighted-average expected life (in years)	2 years 4 months 24 days
Stock units, aggregate grant-date fair value	$ 4,923dva_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardGrantDateFairValueOfStockUnitsGranted / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = dva_StockUnitMember

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- Definition

Unrecognized cost of LTIP awards granted.

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Long-term incentive program, awards compensation cost not yet recognized, period for recognition.

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Amount of Long-term Incentive Program compensation cost.

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- Definition

Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, grant date fair value of options granted.

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Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Unit Granted

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- Definition

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

+ References

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Unrecognized cost of unvested share-based compensation awards.

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- Definition

Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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The total recognized tax benefit related to compensation cost for equity-based payment arrangements recognized in income during the period.

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- Definition

Disclosure of the aggregate tax benefit realized from the exercise of stock options and the conversion of similar instruments during the annual period.

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- Definition

Expected term of share-based compensation awards, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

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

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Net number of share options (or share units) granted during the period.

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