Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 3,562,774	$ 3,336,027	$ 10,578,430	$ 9,952,390
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,784,870	1,677,431	5,308,476	5,061,173
Other operating expenses	941,219	837,241	2,758,484	2,526,060
Supplies expense	378,667	366,337	1,138,950	1,092,403
Depreciation and amortization	137,195	145,874	422,560	433,508
Lease and rental expense	35,466	33,264	105,775	97,075
Operating Expenses, Total	3,277,417	3,060,147	9,734,245	9,210,219
Income from operations	285,357	275,880	844,185	742,171
Interest expense, net	53,378	35,653	153,085	83,002
Other (income) expense, net	11,472	6,015	31,797	15,244
Income before income taxes	220,507	234,212	659,303	643,925
Provision for income taxes	52,499	57,401	159,618	157,312
Net income	168,008	176,811	499,685	486,613
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,019	(6,003)	(1,732)	(14,176)
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 166,989	$ 182,814	$ 501,417	$ 500,789
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 2.42	$ 2.52	$ 7.18	$ 6.78
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 2.40	$ 2.50	$ 7.09	$ 6.71
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	68,867	72,595	69,825	73,769
Add: Other share equivalents	757	465	825	743
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	69,624	73,060	70,650	74,512