Changes in Goodwill by Reportable Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 9,294,479	$ 9,415,295
Acquisitions	260,449	97,093
Divestitures		(8,781)
Goodwill impairment charges	(77,000)	(192,834)
Foreign currency and other adjustments	7,700	(16,294)
Ending balance	9,485,628	9,294,479
U.S. Dialysis And Related Lab Services
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance	5,629,183	5,610,643
Acquisitions		21,910
Divestitures		(3,370)
Ending balance	5,629,183	5,629,183
HealthCare Partners (HCP)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance	3,398,264	3,562,534
Acquisitions	251,216	29,910
Divestitures		(5,411)
Goodwill impairment charges	(77,000)	(188,769)
Ending balance	3,572,480	3,398,264
Other Segments
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance	267,032	242,118
Acquisitions	9,233	45,273
Goodwill impairment charges		(4,065)
Foreign currency and other adjustments	7,700	(16,294)
Ending balance	$ 283,965	$ 267,032

Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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