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	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
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.	$ 158,674	$ 143,270	$ 599,869	$ 566,110
Changes in paid-in capital for:
Purchases of noncontrolling interests	0		4,197	10,732
Purchases of noncontrolling interests		(202)
Net transfers to noncontrolling interests	0	(202)	4,197	10,732
Net income attributable to DaVita Inc., net of transfers to noncontrolling interests	$ 158,674	$ 143,068	$ 604,066	$ 576,842

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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