Goodwill - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charges	$ 36,196,000	$ 28,415,000	$ 4,066,000
Goodwill	6,610,279,000	6,015,375,000	5,896,215,000
Vascular access
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charges	34,696,000	$ 28,415,000
Goodwill	0
International Operations
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charges	1,500,000		$ 4,066,000
Reporting Units Other Than DaVita Medical Group
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charges	$ 0