CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Patient service revenues	$ 2,601,378	$ 2,481,933
Less: Provision for uncollectible accounts	(112,983)	(109,205)
Net patient service operating revenues	2,488,395	2,372,728
Capitated revenues	918,036	887,047
Other revenues	290,852	321,361
Total net operating revenues	3,697,283	3,581,136
Operating expenses and charges:
Patient care costs and other costs	2,722,820	2,582,333
General and administrative	391,780	386,429
Depreciation and amortization	190,206	169,355
Provision for uncollectible accounts	1,910	2,517
Equity investment income	(3,935)	(1,387)
Goodwill and asset impairment charges	39,366	77,000
Gain on changes in ownership interests	(6,273)	0
Gain on settlement	(526,827)	0
Total operating expenses and charges	2,809,047	3,216,247
Operating income	888,236	364,889
Debt expense	(104,429)	(102,884)
Other income, net	4,243	2,976
Consolidated income before income taxes	788,050	264,981
Income tax expense	287,765	126,822
Net income	500,285	138,159
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(52,588)	(40,725)
Net income (loss) attributable to DaVita Inc.	$ 447,697	$ 97,434
Earnings per share:
Basic net income per share attributable to DaVita Inc. (usd per share)	$ 2.33	$ 0.48
Diluted net income per share attributable to DaVita Inc. (usd per share)	$ 2.29	$ 0.47
Weighted average shares for earnings per share:
Basic (in shares)	192,376,735	204,366,869
Diluted (in shares)	195,281,014	207,928,096