Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	Common Stock Class A	Common Stock Class B	Common Stock Class C	Common Stock Class D	Cumulative Dividends	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	UHS Common Stockholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at Dec. 31, 2022	$ 5,965,350		$ 66	$ 637	$ 7	$ 0	$ (604,127)	$ 6,533,667	$ (9,668)	$ 5,920,582	$ 44,768
Balance at Dec. 31, 2022		$ 4,695
Common Stock
Issued/(converted)	3,095			3				3,092		3,095
Repurchased, including excise tax	(85,826)			(7)				(85,819)		(85,826)
Restricted share-based compensation expense	4,494							4,494		4,494
Dividends paid and accrued	(14,199)						(14,199)			(14,199)
Stock option expense	16,225							16,225		16,225
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(3,395)	(750)									(3,395)
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss) to UHS / noncontrolling interests	162,051	324						163,115		163,115	(1,064)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax	4,622								4,622	4,622
Subtotal - comprehensive income	166,673							163,115	4,622	167,737	(1,064)
Subtotal attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest		324
Balance at Mar. 31, 2023	6,052,417		66	633	7	0	(618,326)	6,634,774	(5,046)	6,012,108	40,309
Balance at Mar. 31, 2023		4,269
Balance at Dec. 31, 2023	6,196,715		66	599	7	0	(659,890)	6,798,930	9,289	6,149,001	47,714
Balance at Dec. 31, 2023		5,191
Common Stock
Issued/(converted)	3,411			10				3,401		3,411
Repurchased, including excise tax	(162,091)			(9)				(162,082)		(162,091)
Restricted share-based compensation expense	5,100							5,100		5,100
Dividends paid and accrued	(13,546)						(13,546)			(13,546)
Stock option expense	14,381							14,381		14,381
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		(649)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(3,831)										(3,831)
Purchase (sale) of ownership interests by (from) minority members	1,721										1,721
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss) to UHS / noncontrolling interests	265,377	445						261,834		261,834	3,543
Other								(17)	17
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax	(1,393)								(1,393)	(1,393)
Subtotal - comprehensive income	263,984							261,817	(1,376)	260,441	3,543
Subtotal attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest		445
Balance at Mar. 31, 2024	6,305,844		$ 66	$ 600	$ 7	$ 0	$ (673,436)	$ 6,921,547	$ 7,913	$ 6,256,697	$ 49,147
Balance at Mar. 31, 2024	$ 5,000	$ 4,987