Summary of Depreciation and Amortization Expense by Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	$ 181,739	$ 162,062	$ 531,475	$ 474,694
U.S. Dialysis And Related Lab Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	122,540	111,828	358,427	326,281
DaVita Medical Group (DMG)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	52,595	43,523	153,068	129,890
Other Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	$ 6,604	$ 6,711	$ 19,980	$ 18,523

The current period expense charged against earnings on long-lived, physical assets not used in production, and which are not intended for resale, to allocate or recognize the cost of such assets over their useful lives; or to record the reduction in book value of an intangible asset over the benefit period of such asset; or to reflect consumption during the period of an asset that is not used in production.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585

Name:	us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration