Equity Method and Other Investments	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Equity Method and Other Investments	Equity method and other investments Equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values are carried on the cost or equity method, as applicable. The Company maintains equity method investments in nonconsolidated investees as well as minor cost method investments in private securities of certain other healthcare businesses. The Company classifies its non-marketable cost- and equity method investments as "Equity method and other investments" on its balance sheet. As described in Note 20, effective as of August 1, 2016, the Company deconsolidated its Asia Pacific dialysis business held by DaVita Care Pte. Ltd. (the APAC JV), adjusted its retained investment in the APAC JV to estimated fair value at that time, and has accounted for this retained investment on the equity method since that time. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recognized a non-cash other-than-temporary impairment charge of $280,066 on its investment in the APAC JV. This charge resulted from changes in its expectations for the joint venture based on continuing market research and assessments by both the Company and the APAC JV concerning the size of the addressable market available to the joint venture at attractive risk-adjusted returns. The Company estimated the fair value of its retained interest in the APAC JV with the assistance of an independent third party valuation firm based on information available to management as of December 31, 2017. After this charge, the Company’s investment in the APAC JV was carried at $160,481 as of December 31, 2017. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded an impairment of $14,993 related to an investment at one of its other international reporting units. Total equity method and other investments in nonconsolidated businesses were $245,534 and $492,039 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease in these equity investments was primarily due to the impairment of the Company's investment in the APAC JV. During 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized equity investment (loss) income of $(8,640), $16,874 and $13,919, respectively, from its equity method investments in nonconsolidated businesses.

Equity method and other investments

Equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values are carried on the cost or equity method, as applicable. The Company maintains equity method investments in nonconsolidated investees as well as minor cost method investments in private securities of certain other healthcare businesses. The Company classifies its non-marketable cost- and equity method investments as "Equity method and other investments" on its balance sheet.

As described in Note 20, effective as of August 1, 2016, the Company deconsolidated its Asia Pacific dialysis business held by DaVita Care Pte. Ltd. (the APAC JV), adjusted its retained investment in the APAC JV to estimated fair value at that time, and has accounted for this retained investment on the equity method since that time.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recognized a non-cash other-than-temporary impairment charge of $280,066 on its investment in the APAC JV. This charge resulted from changes in its expectations for the joint venture based on continuing market research and assessments by both the Company and the APAC JV concerning the size of the addressable market available to the joint venture at attractive risk-adjusted returns. The Company estimated the fair value of its retained interest in the APAC JV with the assistance of an independent third party valuation firm based on information available to management as of December 31, 2017. After this charge, the Company’s investment in the APAC JV was carried at $160,481 as of December 31, 2017.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded an impairment of $14,993 related to an investment at one of its other international reporting units.

Total equity method and other investments in nonconsolidated businesses were $245,534 and $492,039 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease in these equity investments was primarily due to the impairment of the Company's investment in the APAC JV. During 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized equity investment (loss) income of $(8,640), $16,874 and $13,919, respectively, from its equity method investments in nonconsolidated businesses.