Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Organization and summary of significant accounting policies Organization DaVita Inc. (the Company) consists of two major divisions, DaVita Kidney Care (Kidney Care) and DaVita Medical Group (DMG). The Kidney Care division is comprised of the Company’s U.S. dialysis and related lab services, its ancillary services and strategic initiatives, including its international operations, and its corporate administrative support. The Company’s largest line of business is its U.S. dialysis and related lab services business, which operates kidney dialysis centers in the U.S. for patients suffering from chronic kidney failure also known as end stage renal disease (ESRD). As of December 31, 2018, the Company operated or provided administrative services through a network of 2,664 U.S. outpatient dialysis centers in 46 states and the District of Columbia, serving a total of approximately 202,700 patients. In addition, as of December 31, 2018, the Company operated or provided administrative services to a total of 241 outpatient dialysis centers serving approximately 25,000 patients located in nine countries outside of the U.S. The Company’s DMG division is a patient- and physician-focused integrated healthcare delivery and management company that provides medical services to members primarily through capitation contracts with some of the nation’s leading health plans. In December 2017, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its DMG division to Collaborative Care Holdings, LLC (Optum), a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group Inc., subject to receipt of required regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. As a result, the DMG business has been classified as held for sale and its results of operations are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented in these consolidated financial statements. For financial information about the DMG business, see Note 22. The Company’s U.S. dialysis and related lab services business qualifies as a separately reportable segment and the Company’s other ancillary services and strategic initiatives, including its international operations, have been combined and disclosed in the other segments category. Basis of presentation These consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP). The financial statements include DaVita Inc. and its subsidiaries, partnerships and other entities in which it maintains a majority voting interest or other controlling financial interest (collectively, the Company). All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. Equity investments in investees over which the Company has significant influence are recorded on the equity method, while investments in other equity securities are recorded at fair value or pursuant to an adjusted cost method measurement alternative, as applicable. For the Company’s international subsidiaries, local currencies are considered their functional currencies. Translation adjustments result from translating the Company’s international subsidiaries’ financial statements from their functional currencies into the Company’s reporting currency (the U.S. dollar, or USD). Prior year balances and amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date these consolidated financial statements were issued and has included all necessary adjustments and disclosures. Use of estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets, liabilities, contingencies and noncontrolling interests subject to put provisions. Although actual results in subsequent periods will differ from these estimates, such estimates are developed based on the best information available to management and management’s best judgments at the time. All significant assumptions and estimates underlying the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes are regularly reviewed and updated when necessary. Changes in estimates are reflected in the financial statements based upon on-going actual experience trends, or subsequent settlements and realizations depending on the nature and predictability of the estimates and contingencies. Interim changes in estimates related to annual operating costs are applied prospectively within annual periods. The most significant assumptions and estimates underlying these financial statements and accompanying notes involve revenue recognition and accounts receivable, contingencies, impairments of goodwill and investments, accounting for income taxes, consolidation of variable interest entities, and certain fair value estimates. Specific estimating risks and contingencies are further addressed within these notes to the consolidated financial statements. Revenues On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) using the cumulative effect method for those contracts that were not substantially completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning on and after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts continue to be presented in accordance with the Company's historical accounting under Revenue Recognition (Topic 605). The adoption of this new standard primarily changed the Company’s presentation of revenues, provision for uncollectible accounts and allowance for doubtful accounts. Topic 606 requires revenue to be recognized based on the Company’s estimate of the transaction price the Company expects to collect as a result of satisfying its performance obligations. Accordingly, for performance obligations satisfied after the adoption of Topic 606, the Company no longer separately presents a provision for uncollectible accounts on the consolidated income statement and no longer presents the related allowance for doubtful accounts on the consolidated balance sheet. However, as a result of the Company’s election to apply Topic 606 only to contracts not substantially completed as of January 1, 2018, the Company continues to maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts related to performance obligations satisfied prior to the adoption of Topic 606. Net collections or write-offs of accounts receivable generated prior to January 1, 2018, beyond amounts previously reserved thereon, are presented in the provision for uncollectible accounts on the consolidated income statement in accordance with Topic 605. Dialysis and related lab patient service revenues Dialysis patient service revenues are recognized in the period services are provided. Revenues consist primarily of payments from government and commercial health plans for dialysis and related lab services provided to patients. A usual and customary fee schedule is maintained for the Company’s dialysis treatments and related lab services; however, actual collectible revenue is normally recognized at a discount from the fee schedule. Revenues associated with Medicare and Medicaid programs are estimated based on: (a) the payment rates that are established by statute or regulation for the portion of payment rates paid by the government payor (e.g., 80% for Medicare patients) and (b) for the portion not paid by the primary government payor, estimates of the amounts ultimately collectible from other government programs paying secondary coverage (e.g., Medicaid secondary coverage), the patient’s commercial health plan secondary coverage, or the patient. Under Medicare’s bundled payment rate system, services covered by Medicare are subject to estimating risk, whereby reimbursements from Medicare can vary significantly depending upon certain patient characteristics and other variable factors. Even with the bundled payment rate system, Medicare payments for bad debt claims as established by cost reports require evidence of collection efforts. As a result, billing and collection of Medicare bad debt claims can be delayed significantly and final payment is subject to audit. The Company’s revenue recognition is estimated based on its judgment regarding its ability to collect, which depends upon its ability to effectively capture, document and bill for Medicare’s base payment rate as well as these other variable factors. Medicaid payments, when Medicaid coverage is secondary, can also be difficult to estimate. For many states, Medicaid payment terms and methods differ from Medicare, and may prevent accurate estimation of individual payment amounts prior to billing. Revenues associated with commercial health plans are estimated based on contractual terms for the patients under healthcare plans with which the Company has formal agreements, non-contracted health plan coverage terms if known, estimated secondary collections, historical collection experience, historical trends of refunds and payor payment adjustments (retractions), inefficiencies in the Company’s billing and collection processes that can result in denied claims for payments, and regulatory compliance matters. Commercial revenue recognition also involves significant estimating risks. With many larger commercial insurers, the Company has several different contracts and payment arrangements, and these contracts often include only a subset of the Company’s centers. In certain circumstances, it may not be possible to determine which contract, if any, should be applied prior to billing. In addition, for services provided by non-contracted centers, final collection may require specific negotiation of a payment amount, typically at a significant discount from the Company’s usual and customary rates. Other revenues Other revenues consist of the revenues associated with the non-dialysis ancillary services and strategic initiatives, management and administrative support services that are provided to outpatient dialysis centers that the Company does not own or in which the Company owns a noncontrolling interest, and administrative and management support services to certain other non-dialysis joint ventures in which the Company owns a noncontrolling interest. Revenues associated with pharmacy services are estimated as prescriptions are filled and shipped to patients. Revenues associated with dialysis management services, disease management services, clinical research programs, physician services, ESRD seamless care organizations, and comprehensive care are estimated in the period services are provided. Revenues associated with direct primary care were estimated over the membership period. Other income Other income includes interest income on cash and cash-equivalents and short- and long-term investments, other non-operating gains from investment transactions, and foreign currency transaction gains and losses. Cash and cash equivalents Cash equivalents are short-term highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at date of purchase. Restricted cash and equivalents Restricted cash and equivalents are restricted cash or cash equivalents held in trust to satisfy insurer and state regulatory requirements related to the Company's self-insurance for professional and general liability and workers' compensation risks administered by wholly-owned captive insurance entities. Investments in debt and equity securities The Company classifies certain debt securities as held-to-maturity and records them at amortized cost based on the Company’s intentions and strategies concerning those investments. Equity securities that have readily determinable fair values or redemption values are classified as short-term or long-term investments and recorded at estimated fair value with changes in fair value recognized in current earnings. See Note 5 for further details, including recent changes to the Company's accounting for these investments. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or net realizable value and consist principally of pharmaceuticals and dialysis-related supplies. Rebates related to inventory purchases are recorded when earned and are based on certain qualification requirements which are dependent on a variety of factors including future pricing levels by the manufacturer and data submission. Property and equipment Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization and is further reduced by any impairments. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation and amortization expenses are computed using the straight-line method over the useful lives of the assets estimated as follows: buildings, 20 years to 40 years; leasehold improvements, the shorter of ten years or the expected lease term; and equipment and information systems, principally three years to 15 years. Disposition gains and losses are included in current operating expenses. Amortizable intangibles Amortizable intangible assets and liabilities include non-competition and similar agreements, lease agreements and hospital acute services contracts, each of which have finite useful lives. Amortization expense is computed using the straight-line method over the useful lives of the assets estimated as follows: non-competition and similar agreements, two years to ten years; and lease agreements and hospital acute service contracts, over the term of the lease or contract period, respectively. Indefinite-lived intangibles Indefinite-lived intangible assets include international licenses and accreditations that allow the Company to be reimbursed for providing dialysis services to patients, each of which has an indefinite useful life. Indefinite-lived intangibles are not amortized, but are assessed for impairment at least annually and whenever significant events or changes in circumstances indicate that an impairment may have occurred. Equity method and other investments Equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values are carried on the equity method if the Company maintains significant influence over the investee, or on an adjusted cost method measurement alternative representing either the Company's cost or a subsequent observation of fair value, in each case net of any applicable other-than-temporary impairment. The Company classifies its equity and adjusted cost method investments as “Equity method and other investments” on its balance sheet. See Note 10 to these consolidated financial statements for further details, including recent changes to the Company's accounting for these investments. Goodwill Goodwill represents the difference between the fair value of businesses acquired and the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but is assessed by individual reporting unit for impairment as circumstances warrant and at least annually. An impairment charge is recorded when and to the extent a reporting unit's carrying amount is determined to exceed its fair value. The Company operates multiple reporting units. See Note 11 to these consolidated financial statements for further details. Impairment of equity method and other investments Equity method and other investments are assessed for other-than-temporary impairment when significant events or changes in circumstances indicate that an other-than-temporary impairment may have occurred. An other-than-temporary impairment charge is recorded when the fair value of an investment has fallen below its carrying amount and the shortfall is expected to be indefinitely or permanently unrecoverable. Impairment of other long-lived assets Other long-lived assets, including property and equipment and intangible assets, are reviewed for possible impairment whenever significant events or changes in circumstances indicate that an impairment may have occurred. Such changes can include changes in the Company’s business strategy and plans, changes in the quality or structure of its relationships with its partners or deteriorating performance of individual outpatient dialysis centers or other business units. An impairment of an amortizable or depreciable asset is indicated when the sum of the expected future undiscounted net cash flows identifiable to the related asset group is less than its carrying amount. Impairment losses are measured based on the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying amount of the subject asset group and are included in operating expenses. Self-insurance The Company is predominantly self-insured with respect to professional and general liability and workers' compensation risks through wholly-owned captive insurance companies, with excess or reinsurance coverage for additional risk. The Company is also predominantly self-insured with respect to employee medical and other health benefits. The Company records insurance liabilities for the professional and general liability, workers’ compensation, and employee health benefit risks that it retains and estimates its liability for those risks using third party actuarial calculations that are based upon historical claims experience and expectations for future claims. Income taxes Federal and state income taxes are computed at currently enacted tax rates less tax credits using the asset and liability method. Deferred taxes are adjusted both for items that do not currently have tax consequences and for the cumulative effect of any changes in tax rates from those previously used to determine deferred tax assets or liabilities. Tax provisions include amounts that are currently payable, changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities that arise because of temporary differences between the timing of when items of income and expense are recognized for financial reporting and income tax purposes, changes in the recognition of tax positions and any changes in the valuation allowance caused by a change in judgment about the realizability of the related deferred tax assets. A valuation allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts expected to be realized. The Company uses a recognition threshold of more-likely-than-not and a measurement attribute on all tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return in order to be recognized in the financial statements. Once the recognition threshold is met, the tax position is then measured to determine the actual amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. Stock-based compensation The Company’s stock-based compensation expense for stock-settled awards is measured at the estimated fair value of awards on the date of grant and recognized on a cumulative straight-line basis over the vesting terms of the awards unless the stock awards are based on non-market based performance metrics, in which case expense is adjusted for expected ultimate payouts as of the end of each reporting period. Stock-based compensation expense for cash-settled awards is based on the estimated fair values as of the end of each reporting period. The expense for all stock-based awards is recognized net of expected forfeitures. Interest rate cap and swap agreements The Company often carries a combination of current or forward interest rate caps or interest rate swaps on portions of its variable rate debt as a means of hedging its exposure to changes in LIBOR interest rates as part of its overall interest rate risk management strategy. These interest rate caps and swaps are not held for trading or speculative purposes and are typically designated as qualifying cash flow hedges. See Note 14 to these consolidated financial statements for further details. Noncontrolling interests Noncontrolling interests represent third-party equity ownership interests in entities which are consolidated by the Company for financial statement reporting purposes. As of December 31, 2018, third parties held noncontrolling equity interests in 653 consolidated legal entities, including 650 legal entities classified within continuing operations. Fair value estimates The Company relies on fair value measurements and estimates for purposes that require the recording, reassessment, or adjustment of the carrying amounts of certain assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests subject to put provisions (temporary equity). These purposes can include the accounting for business combination transactions; impairment assessments for goodwill, other intangible assets, or other long-lived assets; recurrent revaluation of investments in debt and equity securities, interest rate cap agreements or other derivative instruments, contingent earn-out obligations, and noncontrolling interests subject to put provisions; and the accounting for equity method and other investments and stock-based compensation, as applicable. The Company has also classified its assets, liabilities and temporary equity into the appropriate fair value hierarchy levels as defined by the FASB. See Note 24 to these consolidated financial statements for further details. New accounting standards On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. In 2015, 2016 and 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-11, ASU 2016-12, and ASU 2017-10, each of which amended the guidance in ASU 2014-09. These ASUs replaced most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP. The Company adopted these ASUs beginning January 1, 2018. See Note 2 for further details. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-03, which provides various related technical corrections and improvements. The Company adopted these ASUs beginning January 1, 2018. See Note 5 for further details. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The amendments in this ASU include revisions to lessee accounting, requiring lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for substantially all leases with lease terms in excess of twelve months. The Company plans to adopt the amendments in this ASU as of January 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the adoption date with a cumulative effect adjustment. The Company is planning on electing the package of practical expedients to not reassess prior conclusions related to contracts containing leases, lease classification and initial direct costs. The Company estimates the impact of this guidance will result in recognition of additional net lease liabilities of approximately $3,000,000 as of January 1, 2019. The Company is still finalizing its calculations, including the amount of right of use assets to recognize as well as, the cumulative effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings. The Company does not believe this new guidance will have a material effect on its results of operations or liquidity. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The amendments in this ASU clarify how certain cash receipts and cash payments should be classified on the statement of cash flows. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted cash. The amendments in this ASU require that the statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The adoption of these ASUs did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements when adopted on January 1, 2018. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. The amendments in this ASU allow entities to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The prior guidance did not allow recognition until the asset had been sold to an outside party. The amendments in this ASU were effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2018 and have been applied on a modified retrospective basis. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The amendments in this ASU better align an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. The amendments in this ASU are effective for the Company on January 1, 2019 and are to be applied prospectively. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which allows for the reclassification of certain income tax effects related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017 Tax Act) between “Accumulated other comprehensive income” and “Retained earnings.” This ASU relates to the requirement that adjustments to deferred tax liabilities and assets related to a change in tax laws or rates be included in “Income from continuing operations”, even in situations where the related items were originally recognized in “Other comprehensive income” (rather than in “Income from continuing operations”). The amendments in this ASU were effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company elected to early adopt this ASU on January 1, 2018 and applied the change in the period of adoption. The adoption of this ASU resulted in the reclassification of an immaterial amount of deferred tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings via a cumulative change in accounting principle effective January 1, 2018. See Note 20 for more details. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework -Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The applicable amendments in this ASU remove requirements for disclosures concerning transfers between fair value measurement Levels 1, 2 and 3 and disclosures concerning valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. The applicable amendments in this ASU also add a requirement to separately disclose the changes in unrealized gains and losses included in other comprehensive income for the reporting period for Level 3 items measured at fair value on a recurring basis, and require disclosure of the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2020 and its new requirements are to be applied on a prospective basis. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

DaVita Inc. (the Company) consists of two major divisions, DaVita Kidney Care (Kidney Care) and DaVita Medical Group (DMG). The Kidney Care division is comprised of the Company’s U.S. dialysis and related lab services, its ancillary services and strategic initiatives, including its international operations, and its corporate administrative support. The Company’s largest line of business is its U.S. dialysis and related lab services business, which operates kidney dialysis centers in the U.S. for patients suffering from chronic kidney failure also known as end stage renal disease (ESRD). As of December 31, 2018, the Company operated or provided administrative services through a network of 2,664 U.S. outpatient dialysis centers in 46 states and the District of Columbia, serving a total of approximately 202,700 patients. In addition, as of December 31, 2018, the Company operated or provided administrative services to a total of 241 outpatient dialysis centers serving approximately 25,000 patients located in nine countries outside of the U.S.

The Company’s DMG division is a patient- and physician-focused integrated healthcare delivery and management company that provides medical services to members primarily through capitation contracts with some of the nation’s leading health plans. In December 2017, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its DMG division to Collaborative Care Holdings, LLC (Optum), a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group Inc., subject to receipt of required regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. As a result, the DMG business has been classified as held for sale and its results of operations are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented in these consolidated financial statements. For financial information about the DMG business, see Note 22.

The Company’s U.S. dialysis and related lab services business qualifies as a separately reportable segment and the Company’s other ancillary services and strategic initiatives, including its international operations, have been combined and disclosed in the other segments category.

These consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP). The financial statements include DaVita Inc. and its subsidiaries, partnerships and other entities in which it maintains a majority voting interest or other controlling financial interest (collectively, the Company). All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. Equity investments in investees over which the Company has significant influence are recorded on the equity method, while investments in other equity securities are recorded at fair value or pursuant to an adjusted cost method measurement alternative, as applicable. For the Company’s international subsidiaries, local currencies are considered their functional currencies. Translation adjustments result from translating the Company’s international subsidiaries’ financial statements from their functional currencies into the Company’s reporting currency (the U.S. dollar, or USD). Prior year balances and amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets, liabilities, contingencies and noncontrolling interests subject to put provisions. Although actual results in subsequent periods will differ from these estimates, such estimates are developed based on the best information available to management and management’s best judgments at the time. All significant assumptions and estimates underlying the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes are regularly reviewed and updated when necessary. Changes in estimates are reflected in the financial statements based upon on-going actual experience trends, or subsequent settlements and realizations depending on the nature and predictability of the estimates and contingencies. Interim changes in estimates related to annual operating costs are applied prospectively within annual periods.

The most significant assumptions and estimates underlying these financial statements and accompanying notes involve revenue recognition and accounts receivable, contingencies, impairments of goodwill and investments, accounting for income taxes, consolidation of variable interest entities, and certain fair value estimates. Specific estimating risks and contingencies are further addressed within these notes to the consolidated financial statements.

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) using the cumulative effect method for those contracts that were not substantially completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning on and after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts continue to be presented in accordance with the Company's historical accounting under Revenue Recognition (Topic 605).

The adoption of this new standard primarily changed the Company’s presentation of revenues, provision for uncollectible accounts and allowance for doubtful accounts. Topic 606 requires revenue to be recognized based on the Company’s estimate of the transaction price the Company expects to collect as a result of satisfying its performance obligations. Accordingly, for performance obligations satisfied after the adoption of Topic 606, the Company no longer separately presents a provision for uncollectible accounts on the consolidated income statement and no longer presents the related allowance for doubtful accounts on the consolidated balance sheet. However, as a result of the Company’s election to apply Topic 606 only to contracts not substantially completed as of January 1, 2018, the Company continues to maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts related to performance obligations satisfied prior to the adoption of Topic 606. Net collections or write-offs of accounts receivable generated prior to January 1, 2018, beyond amounts previously reserved thereon, are presented in the provision for uncollectible accounts on the consolidated income statement in accordance with Topic 605.

Dialysis patient service revenues are recognized in the period services are provided. Revenues consist primarily of payments from government and commercial health plans for dialysis and related lab services provided to patients. A usual and customary fee schedule is maintained for the Company’s dialysis treatments and related lab services; however, actual collectible revenue is normally recognized at a discount from the fee schedule.

Revenues associated with Medicare and Medicaid programs are estimated based on: (a) the payment rates that are established by statute or regulation for the portion of payment rates paid by the government payor (e.g., 80% for Medicare patients) and (b) for the portion not paid by the primary government payor, estimates of the amounts ultimately collectible from other government programs paying secondary coverage (e.g., Medicaid secondary coverage), the patient’s commercial health plan secondary coverage, or the patient.

Under Medicare’s bundled payment rate system, services covered by Medicare are subject to estimating risk, whereby reimbursements from Medicare can vary significantly depending upon certain patient characteristics and other variable factors. Even with the bundled payment rate system, Medicare payments for bad debt claims as established by cost reports require evidence of collection efforts. As a result, billing and collection of Medicare bad debt claims can be delayed significantly and final payment is subject to audit. The Company’s revenue recognition is estimated based on its judgment regarding its ability to collect, which depends upon its ability to effectively capture, document and bill for Medicare’s base payment rate as well as these other variable factors.

Revenues associated with commercial health plans are estimated based on contractual terms for the patients under healthcare plans with which the Company has formal agreements, non-contracted health plan coverage terms if known, estimated secondary collections, historical collection experience, historical trends of refunds and payor payment adjustments (retractions), inefficiencies in the Company’s billing and collection processes that can result in denied claims for payments, and regulatory compliance matters.

Commercial revenue recognition also involves significant estimating risks. With many larger commercial insurers, the Company has several different contracts and payment arrangements, and these contracts often include only a subset of the Company’s centers. In certain circumstances, it may not be possible to determine which contract, if any, should be applied prior to billing. In addition, for services provided by non-contracted centers, final collection may require specific negotiation of a payment amount, typically at a significant discount from the Company’s usual and customary rates.

Other revenues consist of the revenues associated with the non-dialysis ancillary services and strategic initiatives, management and administrative support services that are provided to outpatient dialysis centers that the Company does not own or in which the Company owns a noncontrolling interest, and administrative and management support services to certain other non-dialysis joint ventures in which the Company owns a noncontrolling interest. Revenues associated with pharmacy services are estimated as prescriptions are filled and shipped to patients. Revenues associated with dialysis management services, disease management services, clinical research programs, physician services, ESRD seamless care organizations, and comprehensive care are estimated in the period services are provided. Revenues associated with direct primary care were estimated over the membership period.

Restricted cash and equivalents are restricted cash or cash equivalents held in trust to satisfy insurer and state regulatory requirements related to the Company's self-insurance for professional and general liability and workers' compensation risks administered by wholly-owned captive insurance entities.

The Company classifies certain debt securities as held-to-maturity and records them at amortized cost based on the Company’s intentions and strategies concerning those investments. Equity securities that have readily determinable fair values or redemption values are classified as short-term or long-term investments and recorded at estimated fair value with changes in fair value recognized in current earnings. See Note 5 for further details, including recent changes to the Company's accounting for these investments.

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or net realizable value and consist principally of pharmaceuticals and dialysis-related supplies. Rebates related to inventory purchases are recorded when earned and are based on certain qualification requirements which are dependent on a variety of factors including future pricing levels by the manufacturer and data submission.

Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization and is further reduced by any impairments. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation and amortization expenses are computed using the straight-line method over the useful lives of the assets estimated as follows: buildings, 20 years to 40 years; leasehold improvements, the shorter of ten years or the expected lease term; and equipment and information systems, principally three years to 15 years. Disposition gains and losses are included in current operating expenses.

Amortizable intangible assets and liabilities include non-competition and similar agreements, lease agreements and hospital acute services contracts, each of which have finite useful lives. Amortization expense is computed using the straight-line method over the useful lives of the assets estimated as follows: non-competition and similar agreements, two years to ten years; and lease agreements and hospital acute service contracts, over the term of the lease or contract period, respectively.

Indefinite-lived intangible assets include international licenses and accreditations that allow the Company to be reimbursed for providing dialysis services to patients, each of which has an indefinite useful life. Indefinite-lived intangibles are not amortized, but are assessed for impairment at least annually and whenever significant events or changes in circumstances indicate that an impairment may have occurred.

Equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values are carried on the equity method if the Company maintains significant influence over the investee, or on an adjusted cost method measurement alternative representing either the Company's cost or a subsequent observation of fair value, in each case net of any applicable other-than-temporary impairment. The Company classifies its equity and adjusted cost method investments as “Equity method and other investments” on its balance sheet. See Note 10 to these consolidated financial statements for further details, including recent changes to the Company's accounting for these investments.

Goodwill represents the difference between the fair value of businesses acquired and the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but is assessed by individual reporting unit for impairment as circumstances warrant and at least annually. An impairment charge is recorded when and to the extent a reporting unit's carrying amount is determined to exceed its fair value. The Company operates multiple reporting units. See Note 11 to these consolidated financial statements for further details.

Equity method and other investments are assessed for other-than-temporary impairment when significant events or changes in circumstances indicate that an other-than-temporary impairment may have occurred. An other-than-temporary impairment charge is recorded when the fair value of an investment has fallen below its carrying amount and the shortfall is expected to be indefinitely or permanently unrecoverable.

Other long-lived assets, including property and equipment and intangible assets, are reviewed for possible impairment whenever significant events or changes in circumstances indicate that an impairment may have occurred. Such changes can include changes in the Company’s business strategy and plans, changes in the quality or structure of its relationships with its partners or deteriorating performance of individual outpatient dialysis centers or other business units. An impairment of an amortizable or depreciable asset is indicated when the sum of the expected future undiscounted net cash flows identifiable to the related asset group is less than its carrying amount. Impairment losses are measured based on the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying amount of the subject asset group and are included in operating expenses.

The Company is predominantly self-insured with respect to professional and general liability and workers' compensation risks through wholly-owned captive insurance companies, with excess or reinsurance coverage for additional risk. The Company is also predominantly self-insured with respect to employee medical and other health benefits. The Company records insurance liabilities for the professional and general liability, workers’ compensation, and employee health benefit risks that it retains and estimates its liability for those risks using third party actuarial calculations that are based upon historical claims experience and expectations for future claims.

Federal and state income taxes are computed at currently enacted tax rates less tax credits using the asset and liability method. Deferred taxes are adjusted both for items that do not currently have tax consequences and for the cumulative effect of any changes in tax rates from those previously used to determine deferred tax assets or liabilities. Tax provisions include amounts that are currently payable, changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities that arise because of temporary differences between the timing of when items of income and expense are recognized for financial reporting and income tax purposes, changes in the recognition of tax positions and any changes in the valuation allowance caused by a change in judgment about

The Company uses a recognition threshold of more-likely-than-not and a measurement attribute on all tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return in order to be recognized in the financial statements. Once the recognition threshold is met, the tax position is then measured to determine the actual amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements.

The Company’s stock-based compensation expense for stock-settled awards is measured at the estimated fair value of awards on the date of grant and recognized on a cumulative straight-line basis over the vesting terms of the awards unless the stock awards are based on non-market based performance metrics, in which case expense is adjusted for expected ultimate payouts as of the end of each reporting period. Stock-based compensation expense for cash-settled awards is based on the estimated fair values as of the end of each reporting period. The expense for all stock-based awards is recognized net of expected forfeitures.

The Company often carries a combination of current or forward interest rate caps or interest rate swaps on portions of its variable rate debt as a means of hedging its exposure to changes in LIBOR interest rates as part of its overall interest rate risk management strategy. These interest rate caps and swaps are not held for trading or speculative purposes and are typically designated as qualifying cash flow hedges. See Note 14 to these consolidated financial statements for further details.

Noncontrolling interests represent third-party equity ownership interests in entities which are consolidated by the Company for financial statement reporting purposes. As of December 31, 2018, third parties held noncontrolling equity interests in 653 consolidated legal entities, including 650 legal entities classified within continuing operations.

The Company relies on fair value measurements and estimates for purposes that require the recording, reassessment, or adjustment of the carrying amounts of certain assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests subject to put provisions (temporary equity). These purposes can include the accounting for business combination transactions; impairment assessments for goodwill, other intangible assets, or other long-lived assets; recurrent revaluation of investments in debt and equity securities, interest rate cap agreements or other derivative instruments, contingent earn-out obligations, and noncontrolling interests subject to put provisions; and the accounting for equity method and other investments and stock-based compensation, as applicable. The Company has also classified its assets, liabilities and temporary equity into the appropriate fair value hierarchy levels as defined by the FASB. See Note 24 to these consolidated financial statements for further details.

On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. In 2015, 2016 and 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-11, ASU 2016-12, and ASU 2017-10, each of which amended the guidance in ASU 2014-09. These ASUs replaced most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP. The Company adopted these ASUs beginning January 1, 2018. See Note 2 for further details.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-03, which provides various related technical corrections and improvements. The Company adopted these ASUs beginning January 1, 2018. See Note 5 for further details.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The amendments in this ASU include revisions to lessee accounting, requiring lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for substantially all leases with lease terms in excess of twelve months. The Company plans to adopt the amendments in this ASU as of January 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the adoption date with a cumulative effect adjustment. The Company is planning on electing the package of practical expedients to not reassess prior

conclusions related to contracts containing leases, lease classification and initial direct costs. The Company estimates the impact of this guidance will result in recognition of additional net lease liabilities of approximately $3,000,000 as of January 1, 2019. The Company is still finalizing its calculations, including the amount of right of use assets to recognize as well as, the cumulative effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings. The Company does not believe this new guidance will have a material effect on its results of operations or liquidity.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The amendments in this ASU clarify how certain cash receipts and cash payments should be classified on the statement of cash flows. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted cash. The amendments in this ASU require that the statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The adoption of these ASUs did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements when adopted on January 1, 2018.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. The amendments in this ASU allow entities to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The prior guidance did not allow recognition until the asset had been sold to an outside party. The amendments in this ASU were effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2018 and have been applied on a modified retrospective basis. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The amendments in this ASU better align an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. The amendments in this ASU are effective for the Company on January 1, 2019 and are to be applied prospectively. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which allows for the reclassification of certain income tax effects related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017 Tax Act) between “Accumulated other comprehensive income” and “Retained earnings.” This ASU relates to the requirement that adjustments to deferred tax liabilities and assets related to a change in tax laws or rates be included in “Income from continuing operations”, even in situations where the related items were originally recognized in “Other comprehensive income” (rather than in “Income from continuing operations”). The amendments in this ASU were effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company elected to early adopt this ASU on January 1, 2018 and applied the change in the period of adoption. The adoption of this ASU resulted in the reclassification of an immaterial amount of deferred tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings via a cumulative change in accounting principle effective January 1, 2018. See Note 20 for more details.