Supplemental Data (unaudited) - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Dialysis and related lab patient service revenues									$ 10,093,670	$ 9,727,360	$ 9,155,447
Less: Provision for uncollectible accounts									(485,398)	(431,308)	(412,905)
Net dialysis and related lab patient service revenues									9,608,272	9,296,052	8,742,542
Other revenues									1,268,362	1,411,415	1,239,703
Total net revenues	$ 2,780,913	$ 2,765,071	$ 2,699,399	$ 2,631,251	$ 2,699,419	$ 2,725,407	$ 2,675,474	$ 2,607,167	10,876,634	10,707,467	9,982,245
Operating expenses and charges									9,063,879	8,677,757	8,845,479
Operating income	150,337	395,294	391,196	875,928	363,445	813,103	431,129	422,033	1,812,755	2,029,710	1,136,766
Debt expense									(430,634)	(414,116)	(408,380)
Other income, net									17,665	7,511	8,073
Income tax expense									323,859	431,761	207,510
Net income from continuing operations									1,075,927	1,191,344	480,877
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax									(245,372)	(158,262)	(53,467)
Net income									830,555	1,033,082	427,410
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									(166,937)	(153,208)	(157,678)
Net income attributable to DaVita Inc.	$ 303,396	$ (214,476)	$ 127,001	$ 447,697	$ 157,726	$ 571,332	$ 53,382	$ 97,434	663,618	$ 879,874	$ 269,732
Physician Groups
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Dialysis and related lab patient service revenues									0
Less: Provision for uncollectible accounts									0
Net dialysis and related lab patient service revenues									0
Other revenues									0
Total net revenues									0
Operating expenses and charges									0
Operating income									0
Debt expense									0
Other income, net									0
Income tax expense									0
Net income from continuing operations									0
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax									13,611
Net income									13,611
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									7,183
Net income attributable to DaVita Inc.									20,794
Unrestricted Subsidiaries
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Dialysis and related lab patient service revenues									0
Less: Provision for uncollectible accounts									0
Net dialysis and related lab patient service revenues									0
Other revenues									0
Total net revenues									0
Operating expenses and charges									0
Operating income									0
Debt expense									0
Other income, net									0
Income tax expense									0
Net income from continuing operations									0
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax									19
Net income									19
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0
Net income attributable to DaVita Inc.									19
Company and Restricted Subsidiaries(1)
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Dialysis and related lab patient service revenues									10,093,670
Less: Provision for uncollectible accounts									(485,398)
Net dialysis and related lab patient service revenues									9,608,272
Other revenues									1,268,362
Total net revenues									10,876,634
Operating expenses and charges									9,063,879
Operating income									1,812,755
Debt expense									(430,634)
Other income, net									17,665
Income tax expense									323,859
Net income from continuing operations									1,075,927
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax									(259,002)
Net income									816,925
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									(174,120)
Net income attributable to DaVita Inc.									$ 642,805