Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Patient service operating revenues	$ 206,079	$ 211,429	$ 213,252	$ 191,762	$ 207,806	$ 205,719	$ 205,952	$ 186,299	$ 822,522	$ 805,776
Operating Income (loss)	13,215	18,204	17,629	2,625	22,949	24,110	(4,310)	12,573	51,673	55,322	$ 90,208
Income (loss) before income taxes	1,034	5,932	5,784	(4,443)	19,590	12,388	(10,710)	4,095
Net loss attributable to American Renal Associates Holdings, Inc.	$ 90	$ 4,777	$ (8,178)	$ (10,479)	$ (572)	$ (734)	$ (23,659)	$ (3,802)	$ (13,790)	$ (28,767)	$ (4,597)
Basic (loss) income per share attributable to American Renal Associates Holdings, Inc. (in USD per share)	$ (0.22)	$ 0.11	$ (0.22)	$ (0.35)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.78)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.68)	$ (0.98)	$ (0.52)
Diluted (loss) income per share attributable to American Renal Associates Holdings, Inc. (in USD per share)	$ (0.22)	$ 0.11	$ (0.22)	$ (0.35)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.78)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.68)	$ (0.98)	$ (0.52)