Number Of Partnerships that are included in the Equity Investments category.

No definition available.

Name:	dva_NumberOfPartnerships
Namespace Prefix:	dva_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Valuation Adjustment on equity method investments and other.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dva_ValuationAdjustment
Namespace Prefix:	dva_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of voting equity interests acquired at the acquisition date in the business combination.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=79982066&loc=d3e1392-128463

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the aggregate carrying amount of all cost-method investments held by the Entity which was not evaluated for impairment. Because the fair value of cost-method investments is not readily determinable, the evaluation of whether an investment is impaired generally consists of whether an event or change in circumstances has occurred during the reporting period that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment (an "impairment indicator"). Impairment indicators include, but are not limited to: (1) significant deterioration in the earnings performance, credit rating, asset quality, or business prospects of the investee; (2) significant adverse change in the regulatory, economic, or technological environment of the investee; (3) significant adverse change in the general market condition of either the geographic area or the industry in which the investee operates; (4) a bona fide offer to purchase (whether solicited or unsolicited), an offer by the investee to sell, or a completed auction process for the same or similar security for an amount less than the cost of the investment; or (5) factors that raise significant concerns about the investee's ability to continue as a going concern, such as negative cash flows from operations, working capital deficiencies, or noncompliance with statutory capital requirements or debt covenants.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CostMethodInvestmentsAggregateCarryingAmountNotEvaluatedForImpairment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) from deconsolidation of subsidiary and derecognition of group of assets constituting transfer of business or nonprofit activity, excluding conveyance of oil and gas mineral rights and transfer of good or service in contract with customer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1B
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109239629&loc=SL4582445-111684

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeconsolidationGainOrLossAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This serves as a place to record data that is not required by accounting literature but is useful for readers of the financial statements as it relates to the details of an equity method investment in common stock. Such information may include the amount of change for a change in ownership (equity) percentage in a given period and the amount and type of the consideration given or received in relation to the change in ownership.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentAdditionalInformation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents an other than temporary decline in value that has been recognized against an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the investment represents the amount of the write down which is or was reflected in earnings. The written down value is a new cost basis with the adjusted value of the investment becoming its new carrying value subject to the equity accounting method. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 35
-Paragraph 32
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114001220&loc=d3e32787-111569

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(12))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115205541&loc=SL114868664-224227

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 220
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04(10))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114873790&loc=SL114874131-224263

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 220
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04(13)(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114873765&loc=SL114874048-224260

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 22
-Subparagraph (g)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115929826&loc=d3e8736-108599

Reference 6: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109237563&loc=d3e33749-111570

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The equity interest of noncontrolling shareholders, partners or other equity holders in consolidated entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The parent entity's interest in net assets of the subsidiary, expressed as a percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=dva_DeconsolidatedNoncontrollingEntityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=dva_ParentCompanyAndRestrictedSubsidiariesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis=us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis=dva_AsiaPacificDialysisBusinessMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=dva_KhazanahAndMitsuiMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Equity Method and Other Investments - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
	Aug. 01, 2016	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Equity investment (loss) income								$ (4,484)	$ (8,640)	$ 16,874
Equity Method Investment, Additional Information				During the third quarter of 2018, the investors in the APAC JV jointly agreed to a six-month deferral of the subscribed incremental capital contributions originally scheduled for August 1, 2018 based upon revised assessments of the capital needs of the joint venture.
Number Of Partnerships			22					22
Cost-method total aggregate carrying amount of equity investments			$ 12,386					$ 12,386
Valuation Adjustment								0
APAC JV - Deconsolidated Noncontrolling Entity
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Equity investment (loss) income			$ 1,530	$ 5,995		$ 6,293		$ (4,484)	$ (8,640)	$ 16,874
Non-cash other than temporary impairment losses					$ 280,066
Voting Interest, in percents			40.00%					40.00%
Current economic interest in the APAC JV, Owned by Noncontrolling Investors			26.70%					26.70%
Company and Restricted Subsidiaries(1)
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Voting Interest, in percents			60.00%					60.00%
Current economic interest in the APAC JV, Owned by the Parent Company			73.30%					73.30%
Ownership percentage by Parent			73.30%					73.30%
Minimum
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Current economic interest in the APAC JV, Owned by the Parent Company			30.00%					30.00%
Ownership percentage by Parent			30.00%					30.00%
Maximum
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Current economic interest in the APAC JV, Owned by the Parent Company			50.00%					50.00%
Ownership percentage by Parent			50.00%					50.00%
Subsequent Event
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Additional Information		Subsequent to December 31, 2018, the investors have jointly agreed to a further deferral of those capital contributions originally scheduled for August 1, 2018, which will now be due with the final capital contributions
Asia-Pacific dialysis business \| Khazanah And Mitsui
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Non-cash non-taxable gain	$ (374,374)						$ (6,273)