Changes in Goodwill by Reportable Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 9,294,479	$ 9,415,295	$ 9,415,295
Acquisitions	371,809		97,093
Divestitures	(35,819)		(8,781)
Goodwill impairment charges	(253,000)	(4,065)	(192,834)
Foreign currency and other adjustments	5,527		(16,294)
Ending balance	9,382,996		9,294,479
U.S. Dialysis And Related Lab Services
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance	5,629,183	5,610,643	5,610,643
Acquisitions	52,792		21,910
Divestitures	(4,222)		(3,370)
Ending balance	5,677,753		5,629,183
DaVita Medical Group (DMG)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance	3,398,264	3,562,534	3,562,534
Acquisitions	248,901		29,910
Divestitures	(2,223)		(5,411)
Goodwill impairment charges	(253,000)		(188,769)
Ending balance	3,391,942		3,398,264
Other Segments
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance	267,032	$ 242,118	242,118
Acquisitions	70,116		45,273
Divestitures	(29,374)
Goodwill impairment charges			(4,065)
Foreign currency and other adjustments	5,527		(16,294)
Ending balance	$ 313,301		$ 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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