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
	Mar. 31, 2015
Dialysis businesses and other businesses
Disclosure - Reconciliation of Changes in Contingent Earn-Out Obligations (Detail) [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 39,129dva_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	$ 38,425dva_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