CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 830,555	$ 1,033,082	$ 427,410
Unrealized losses on interest rate cap and swap agreements:
Unrealized losses on interest rate cap and swap agreements	(5,437)	(3,670)	(12,241)
Reclassifications of net cap and swap agreements realized losses into net income	5,058	2,566	3,111
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments:
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments	3,705	1,427	(1,413)
Reclassification of net investment realized losses (gains) into net income	(220)	(423)	(377)
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	99,770	(39,614)	(23,889)
Reclassification of foreign currency translation into net income	0	10,087	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	102,876	(29,627)	(34,809)
Total comprehensive income	933,431	1,003,455	392,601
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(166,935)	(153,398)	(157,678)
Comprehensive income attributable to DaVita Inc.	$ 766,496	$ 850,057	$ 234,923