Supplemental Data - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)		$ 500,285	$ 138,159
Other comprehensive loss		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
Physician Groups
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)		3,526
Total comprehensive income		3,526
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to DaVita Inc.		3,526
Unrestricted Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)		100
Total comprehensive income		100
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to DaVita Inc.		100
Company and Restricted Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	[1]	496,659
Other comprehensive loss	[1]	12,755
Total comprehensive income	[1]	509,414
Less: comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interests	[1]	(52,586)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to DaVita Inc.	[1]	$ 456,828

[1] After elimination of the unrestricted subsidiaries and the physician groups.