v2.4.1.9

Summary of Assets by Segment (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity investments	$ 70,017us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures	$ 65,637us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
U.S. dialysis and related lab services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity investments	28,406us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = dva_USDialysisAndRelatedLabServicesMember	28,138us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = dva_USDialysisAndRelatedLabServicesMember
HealthCare Partners (HCP)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity investments	19,709us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = dva_HealthcarePartnersMember	15,393us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = dva_HealthcarePartnersMember
Other-Ancillary services and strategic initiatives
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity investments	$ 21,902us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember	$ 22,106us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember

X

- Definition

Total investments in (A) an entity in which the entity has significant influence, but does not have control, (B) subsidiaries that are not required to be consolidated and are accounted for using the equity and or cost method, and (C) an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group. Includes long-term advances receivable from a party that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership.

+ 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 210.5-02.12)

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

+ Details

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

X

- Details

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

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=dva_HealthcarePartnersMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=dva_USDialysisAndRelatedLabServicesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: