Earnings Per Share Data ("EPS") and Stock Based Compensation (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 71,817	$ 85,054	$ 307,985	$ 302,896
Less: Net income attributable to unvested restricted share grants	(85)	(165)	(379)	(440)
Net income attributable to UHS-basic and diluted	$ 71,732	$ 84,889	$ 307,606	$ 302,456
Weighted average number of common shares-basic	96,817	97,397	96,701	97,447
Net effect of dilutive stock options and grants based on the treasury stock method	794	1,201	1,010	1,461
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents-diluted	97,611	98,598	97,711	98,908
Earnings per basic share attributable to UHS:	$ 0.74	$ 0.87	$ 3.18	$ 3.10
Earnings per diluted share attributable to UHS:	$ 0.73	$ 0.86	$ 3.15	$ 3.06