Selected quarterly financial data (unaudited) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 3,063,209	$ 2,999,586	$ 2,871,673	$ 2,829,582	$ 2,477,853	$ 1,945,888	$ 1,913,006	$ 1,849,533	$ 8,307,195	$ 7,351,902	$ 6,470,540
Operating income	484,179	377,074	522,020	166,861	388,056	340,885	247,261	320,882	1,550,134	1,297,084	1,154,713
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	380,020	270,766	412,550	61,642	282,162	271,210	187,392	260,540	1,124,978	1,001,304	916,605
Discontinued operations, net of tax				13,236	(460)	(13)	352	(101)	13,236	(222)	(17,918)
Net income attributable to DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc.	$ 212,278	$ 136,628	$ 254,376	$ 30,164	$ 155,839	$ 144,721	$ 95,337	$ 140,120	$ 633,446	$ 536,017	$ 478,001
Basic income from continuing operations per share attributable to DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc.	$ 1.01	$ 0.65	$ 1.21	$ 0.08	$ 0.77	$ 0.76	$ 0.50	$ 0.75	$ 2.95	$ 2.79	$ 2.62
Basic net income per share attributable to DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc.	$ 1.01	$ 0.65	$ 1.21	$ 0.14	$ 0.77	$ 0.76	$ 0.51	$ 0.75	$ 3.02	$ 2.79	$ 2.53
Diluted income from continuing operations per share attributable to DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc.	$ 0.99	$ 0.64	$ 1.18	$ 0.08	$ 0.76	$ 0.75	$ 0.49	$ 0.73	$ 2.89	$ 2.74	$ 2.57
Diluted net income per share attributable to DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc.	$ 0.99	$ 0.64	$ 1.18	$ 0.14	$ 0.75	$ 0.75	$ 0.50	$ 0.73	$ 2.95	$ 2.74	$ 2.48