Segment Disclosures - Assets by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Disclosure
Real estate and related assets held for sale, net		$ 330,453	$ 314,126
Total assets	[1]	21,116,457	21,449,849
Goodwill		50,346	50,346
Operating segment
Segment Disclosure
Gross assets		22,937,483	22,972,094
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(3,157,266)	(2,941,568)
Total assets		19,780,217	20,030,526
Operating segment | Senior housing
Segment Disclosure
Gross assets		9,854,208	9,812,142
Goodwill		31,000
Operating segment | Post-acute/skilled nursing
Segment Disclosure
Gross assets		5,018,072	5,162,947
Goodwill		3,000
Operating segment | Life science
Segment Disclosure
Gross assets		3,952,550	3,905,137
Operating segment | Medical office
Segment Disclosure
Gross assets		3,489,833	3,469,048
Goodwill		11,000
Operating segment | Hospital
Segment Disclosure
Gross assets		622,820	622,820
Goodwill		5,000
Other non-segment
Segment Disclosure
Total assets		$ 1,005,787	$ 1,105,197

[1] HCP, Inc.’s consolidated total assets and total liabilities at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 include certain assets of variable interest entities (“VIEs”) that can only be used to settle the liabilities of the related VIE. The VIE creditors do not have recourse to HCP, Inc. Total assets at June 30, 2016 include VIE assets as follows: buildings and improvements $3.4 billion; development costs $16 million; land $324 million; accumulated depreciation and amortization $598 million; investments in unconsolidated joint ventures $14 million; accounts receivable $25 million; cash $59 million; restricted cash $25 million; intangible assets, net $184 million; and other assets, net $62 million. Total assets at December 31, 2015 include VIE assets as follows: buildings and improvements $3.4 billion; development costs $54 million; land $327 million; accumulated depreciation and amortization $537 million; investments in unconsolidated joint ventures $14 million; accounts receivable $19 million; cash $61 million; restricted cash $21 million; intangible assets, net $204 million; and other assets, net $63 million. Total liabilities at June 30, 2016 include VIE liabilities as follows: mortgage debt $571 million; intangible liabilities, net $10 million; accounts payable and accrued liabilities $116 million and deferred revenue $25 million. Total liabilities at December 31, 2015 include VIE liabilities as follows: mortgage debt $589 million; intangible liabilities, net $10 million; accounts payable and accrued liabilities $107 million and deferred revenue $19 million. See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.