Changes in DaVita Inc.'s ownership interest in consolidated subsidiaries - Effects of Changes in DaVita Inc's Ownership Interest on Company's Equity (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Change Due to Net Income Attributable to Parent and Effects of Changes, Net [Abstract]
Net income attributable to DaVita Inc.	$ 149,289	$ 178,686
Changes in paid-in capital for:
Sales of noncontrolling interests	0	76
Purchases of noncontrolling interests	(2,206)	(1,994)
Net income attributable to DaVita Inc., net of transfers to noncontrolling interests	147,083	176,768
Net transfers to noncontrolling interests	$ (2,206)	$ (1,918)

This element represents the total net income attributable to the parent for the period and the effect of net changes during the period impacting the parent's ownership interest in a subsidiary as it relates to the total (consolidated) equity attributable to the parent. The changes to the parent's ownership interest in a subsidiary represented by this element did not result in a deconsolidation of the subsidiary from the consolidated financial statements.

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
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- Definition

The increase (decrease) during the period impacting the parent's ownership interest in a subsidiary as it relates to the total (consolidated) equity attributable to the parent. The changes to the parent's ownership interest in a subsidiary represented by this element did not arise in a deconsolidation of the subsidiary from the consolidated financial statements.

+ References

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- Definition

Represents the purchase by the parent of an additional equity interest in a subsidiary during the period, thereby effecting a change in total (consolidated) equity attributable to the parent. The purchase of the additional equity interest represented by this element increases the parent's controlling interest in the subsidiary.

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- Definition

Represents a sale by the parent of a portion of its equity interest in a subsidiary during the period, thereby effecting a change in total (consolidated) equity attributable to the parent. The sale of the equity interest represented by this element does not result in a loss of control by the parent.

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Amount after income tax of income (loss) including the portion attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interest. Excludes the portion attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest recognized as temporary equity.

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