Document and Entity Information - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Jan. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	DVA
Entity Registrant Name	DAVITA INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000927066
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filer	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		182.0
Entity Public Float			$ 12.4