Summary of Assets by Segment (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity investments	$ 516,383	$ 78,368
U.S. Dialysis And Related Lab Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity investments	41,624	34,801
DaVita Medical Group (DMG)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity investments	11,293	22,714
Other Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity investments	$ 463,466	$ 20,853

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.

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

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