Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 14,281,976	$ 13,399,370	$ 12,642,117
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	7,107,484	6,762,256	6,163,944
Other operating expenses	3,757,216	3,445,733	3,035,869
Supplies expense	1,532,828	1,474,339	1,427,134
Depreciation and amortization	568,041	581,861	533,213
Lease and rental expense	141,026	131,626	118,863
Operating Expenses, Total	13,106,595	12,395,815	11,279,023
Income from operations	1,175,381	1,003,555	1,363,094
Interest expense, net	206,674	126,889	83,672
Other (income) expense, net	28,281	10,406	(13,891)
Income before income taxes	940,426	866,260	1,293,313
Provision for income taxes	221,119	209,278	305,681
Net income	719,307	656,982	987,632
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,512	(18,627)	(3,958)
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 717,795	$ 675,609	$ 991,590
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 10.35	$ 9.23	$ 11.99
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 10.23	$ 9.14	$ 11.82
Weighted average number of common shares—basic	69,321	73,118	82,519
Add: Other share equivalents	804	714	1,173
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents—diluted	70,125	73,832	83,692