CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 500,285	$ 138,159
Unrealized losses on interest rate cap and swap agreements:
Unrealized losses on interest rate cap and swap agreements	(3,188)	(5,469)
Reclassifications of net rate cap and swap agreements realized losses into net income	1,265	465
Unrealized gains on investments:
Unrealized gains on investments	1,557	229
Reclassification of net investment realized gains into net income	(140)	(93)
Unrealized gains on foreign currency translation:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	13,261	11,181
Other comprehensive income	12,755	6,313
Total comprehensive income	513,040	144,472
Less: comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(52,586)	(40,725)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to DaVita Inc.	$ 460,454	$ 103,747