Supplemental Data - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ (96,668)	$ (172,034)	$ 434,883	$ 489,876
Other comprehensive loss	(7,184)	30,784	(33,976)	93,117
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(103,852)	(141,250)	400,907	582,993
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(40,128)	(42,442)	(125,717)	(129,652)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to DaVita Inc.	$ (143,980)	$ (183,692)	275,190	$ 453,341
Physician Groups
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)			20,773
Other comprehensive loss			0
Total comprehensive income (loss)			20,773
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests			(6,961)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to DaVita Inc.			13,812
Unrestricted Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)			298
Other comprehensive loss			0
Total comprehensive income (loss)			298
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests			0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to DaVita Inc.			298
Company and Restricted Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)			413,812
Other comprehensive loss			(33,976)
Total comprehensive income (loss)			379,836
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests			(118,756)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to DaVita Inc.			$ 261,080