Effects of Changes in DaVita Inc's Ownership Interest on Company's Equity (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Net income attributable to DaVita Inc.	$ 447,697	$ 97,434
Net transfers to noncontrolling interests	(423)	(2,452)
Net income attributable to DaVita Inc., net of transfers to noncontrolling interests	447,274	94,982
Additional paid-in capital
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Increase in paid-in capital for sales of noncontrolling interests	0	885
Decrease in paid-in capital for the purchase of noncontrolling interests and adjustments to ownership interest	$ (423)	$ (3,337)