Supplemental Data (unaudited) - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Dialysis and related lab patient service revenues									$ 10,709,981	$ 10,093,670	$ 9,727,360
Provision for uncollectible accounts									(49,587)	(485,364)	(431,304)
Net dialysis and related lab patient service revenues									10,660,394	9,608,306	9,296,056
Other revenues									744,457	1,268,328	1,411,411
Total revenues	$ 2,821,124	$ 2,847,330	$ 2,886,953	$ 2,849,444	$ 2,780,913	$ 2,765,071	$ 2,699,399	$ 2,631,251	11,404,851	10,876,634	10,707,467
Operating expenses and charges									9,879,027	9,063,879	8,677,757
Operating income	387,908	289,038	438,192	410,686	150,337	395,294	391,196	875,928	1,525,824	1,812,755	2,029,710
Debt expense									(487,435)	(430,634)	(414,116)
Other income, net									10,089	17,665	7,511
Income tax expense									258,400	323,859	431,761
Net income from continuing operations									790,078	1,075,927	1,191,344
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax									(457,038)	(245,372)	(158,262)
Net income									333,040	830,555	1,033,082
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									(173,646)	(166,937)	(153,208)
Net (loss) income attributable to DaVita Inc.	$ (149,772)	$ (136,796)	$ 267,276	$ 178,686	$ 303,396	$ (214,476)	$ 127,001	$ 447,697	159,394	$ 663,618	$ 879,874
Physician Groups
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Dialysis and related lab patient service revenues									0
Provision for uncollectible accounts									0
Net dialysis and related lab patient service revenues									0
Other revenues									0
Total 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									37,373
Net income									37,373
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									(7,841)
Net (loss) income attributable to DaVita Inc.									29,532
Unrestricted Subsidiaries
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Dialysis and related lab patient service revenues									0
Provision for uncollectible accounts									0
Net dialysis and related lab patient service revenues									0
Other revenues									0
Total 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									92
Net income									92
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0
Net (loss) income attributable to DaVita Inc.									92
Company and Restricted Subsidiaries(1)
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Dialysis and related lab patient service revenues									10,709,981
Provision for uncollectible accounts									(49,587)
Net dialysis and related lab patient service revenues									10,660,394
Other revenues									744,457
Total revenues									11,404,851
Operating expenses and charges									9,879,027
Operating income									1,525,824
Debt expense									(487,435)
Other income, net									10,089
Income tax expense									258,400
Net income from continuing operations									790,078
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax									(494,503)
Net income									295,575
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									(165,805)
Net (loss) income attributable to DaVita Inc.									$ 129,770