Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 3,907,604	$ 3,548,138	$ 7,751,186	$ 7,015,656
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,856,372	1,770,271	3,698,996	3,523,606
Other operating expenses	1,043,116	938,314	2,075,286	1,817,265
Supplies expense	388,063	380,294	791,636	760,283
Depreciation and amortization	147,480	143,744	288,483	285,365
Lease and rental expense	36,175	35,387	71,625	70,309
Operating Expenses, Total	3,471,206	3,268,010	6,926,026	6,456,828
Income from operations	436,398	280,128	825,160	558,828
Interest expense, net	48,899	48,831	101,725	99,707
Other (income) expense, net	5,493	6,602	5,343	20,325
Income before income taxes	382,006	224,695	718,092	438,796
Provision for income taxes	87,676	55,393	157,940	107,119
Net income	294,330	169,302	560,152	331,677
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	5,178	(2,011)	9,166	(2,751)
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 289,152	$ 171,313	$ 550,986	$ 334,428
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 4.32	$ 2.44	$ 8.22	$ 4.75
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 4.26	$ 2.42	$ 8.08	$ 4.7
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	66,878	70,073	67,041	70,304
Add: Other share equivalents	1,042	766	1,160	859
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	67,920	70,839	68,201	71,163