CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	$ 7,688,071	$ 7,356,798	$ 5,429,233
Less: Provision for doubtful accounts	726,671	596,576	529,086
Net revenues	6,961,400	6,760,222	4,900,147
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	3,440,917	3,326,378	2,363,383
Other operating expenses	1,376,122	1,353,693	968,612
Supplies expense	799,621	805,489	716,925
Depreciation and amortization	302,426	287,211	216,930
Lease and rental expense	94,885	90,323	75,363
Transaction costs	5,716	0	53,220
Electronic health records incentive income	(30,038)	0	0
Costs related to extinguishment of debt	29,170	0	0
Operating expenses	6,018,819	5,863,094	4,394,433
Income from operations	942,581	897,128	505,714
Interest expense, net	178,918	200,792	77,617
Income before income taxes	763,663	696,336	428,097
Provision for income taxes	274,616	247,466	152,302
Net income	489,047	448,870	275,795
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	45,601	50,703	45,612
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 443,446	$ 398,167	$ 230,183
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 4.57	$ 4.09	$ 2.37
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 4.53	$ 4.04	$ 2.34
Weighted average number of common shares-basic	96,821	97,199	96,786
Add: Other share equivalents	890	1,338	1,187
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents-diluted	97,711	98,537	97,973