Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Basic and Diluted:
Net Income (Loss)	$ 258,714	$ 166,989	$ 809,700	$ 501,417
Less: Net income attributable to unvested restricted share grants		(52)	(50)	(242)
Net income attributable to UHS - basic	258,714	166,937	809,650	501,175
Net income attributable to UHS - diluted	$ 258,714	$ 166,937	$ 809,650	$ 501,175
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	66,537	68,867	66,873	69,825
Net effect of dilutive stock options and grants based on the treasury stock method	1,571	757	1,297	825
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	68,108	69,624	68,170	70,650
Earnings per basic share attributable to UHS:	$ 3.89	$ 2.42	$ 12.11	$ 7.18
Earnings per diluted share attributable to UHS:	$ 3.80	$ 2.40	$ 11.88	$ 7.09