CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 333,040	$ 830,555	$ 1,033,082
Unrealized losses on interest rate cap and swap agreements, net:
Unrealized losses	(133)	(5,437)	(3,670)
Reclassification into net income	6,286	5,058	2,566
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net:
Unrealized losses	0	3,705	1,427
Reclassification into net income	0	(220)	(423)
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(45,944)	99,770	(39,614)
Reclassification into net income	0	0	10,087
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(39,791)	102,876	(29,627)
Total comprehensive income	293,249	933,431	1,003,455
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(173,646)	(166,935)	(153,398)
Comprehensive income attributable to DaVita Inc.	$ 119,603	$ 766,496	$ 850,057