Equity method and other investments	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity method and other investments	Equity method and other investments Equity investments in nonconsolidated businesses over which the Company maintains significant influence, but which do not have readily determinable fair values, are carried on the equity method. As described in Note 5 to these condensed consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-01 and related ASU 2018-03 concerning recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. In adopting this new guidance, the Company has made an accounting policy election to adopt an adjusted cost method measurement alternative for investments in equity securities without readily determinable fair values. Specifically, under this measurement alternative, unless elected otherwise for a particular investment, the Company initially records equity investments that qualify for the measurement alternative at cost but remeasures them to fair value through earnings when there is an observable transaction involving the same or a similar investment with the same issuer or upon an impairment. The Company maintains equity method and minor adjusted cost method investments in the private securities of certain other healthcare and healthcare-related businesses. The Company classifies these investments as "Equity method and other investments" on its consolidated balance sheet. The total carrying amount of equity investments carried under the adjusted cost method measurement alternative at September 30, 2018 was $12,386. Through September 30, 2018, there have been no meaningful impairments or other downward or upward valuation adjustments recognized on these investments. Total equity method and other investments in nonconsolidated businesses were $240,820 and $245,534 at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company recognized equity investment income of $6,126 and loss of $5,456, respectively, from equity method investments in nonconsolidated businesses. The Company's largest equity method investment is its ownership interest in DaVita Care Pte. Ltd. (the APAC JV), which was carried at $146,829 and $160,481 at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The Company recognized a non-cash other-than-temporary impairment on this investment of $280,066 in the fourth quarter of 2017. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company holds a 60% voting interest and a 73.3% current economic interest in the APAC JV. Based on the governance structure and voting rights established for the APAC JV at its formation on August 1, 2016, certain key decisions affecting the joint venture’s operations are not subject to the unilateral discretion of the Company, but rather are shared with the other noncontrolling investors. These other noncontrolling investors currently collectively hold a 40% voting interest and a 26.7% economic interest in the APAC JV. During the third quarter of 2018, the investors in the APAC JV jointly agreed to a six-month deferral of the subscribed incremental capital contribution originally scheduled for August 1, 2018 based upon an assessment of the capital needs of the joint venture. The Company continues to expect the economic interests of the noncontrolling investors in the APAC JV to adjust to match their voting interests by August 1, 2019.

Equity method and other investments

Equity investments in nonconsolidated businesses over which the Company maintains significant influence, but which do not have readily determinable fair values, are carried on the equity method.

As described in Note 5 to these condensed consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-01 and related ASU 2018-03 concerning recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. In adopting this new guidance, the Company has made an accounting policy election to adopt an adjusted cost method measurement alternative for investments in equity securities without readily determinable fair values.

Specifically, under this measurement alternative, unless elected otherwise for a particular investment, the Company initially records equity investments that qualify for the measurement alternative at cost but remeasures them to fair value through earnings when there is an observable transaction involving the same or a similar investment with the same issuer or upon an impairment.

The Company maintains equity method and minor adjusted cost method investments in the private securities of certain other healthcare and healthcare-related businesses. The Company classifies these investments as "Equity method and other investments" on its consolidated balance sheet.

The total carrying amount of equity investments carried under the adjusted cost method measurement alternative at September 30, 2018 was $12,386. Through September 30, 2018, there have been no meaningful impairments or other downward or upward valuation adjustments recognized on these investments.

Total equity method and other investments in nonconsolidated businesses were $240,820 and $245,534 at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company recognized equity investment income of $6,126 and loss of $5,456, respectively, from equity method investments in nonconsolidated businesses.

The Company's largest equity method investment is its ownership interest in DaVita Care Pte. Ltd. (the APAC JV), which was carried at $146,829 and $160,481 at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The Company recognized a non-cash other-than-temporary impairment on this investment of $280,066 in the fourth quarter of 2017.

As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company holds a 60% voting interest and a 73.3% current economic interest in the APAC JV. Based on the governance structure and voting rights established for the APAC JV at its formation on August 1, 2016, certain key decisions affecting the joint venture’s operations are not subject to the unilateral discretion of the Company, but rather are shared with the other noncontrolling investors. These other noncontrolling investors currently collectively hold a 40% voting interest and a 26.7% economic interest in the APAC JV. During the third quarter of 2018, the investors in the APAC JV jointly agreed to a six-month deferral of the subscribed incremental capital contribution originally scheduled for August 1, 2018 based upon an assessment of the capital needs of the joint venture. The Company continues to expect the economic interests of the noncontrolling investors in the APAC JV to adjust to match their voting interests by August 1, 2019.