Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	$ 167,803	$ 117,444	$ 297,738	$ 260,014
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains on cash flow hedges	5,282	212	9,817	1,827
Amortization of terminated hedge	(84)	(84)	(168)	(168)
Other comprehensive income before tax	5,198	128	9,649	1,659
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income	1,960	50	3,638	632
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	3,238	78	6,011	1,027
Comprehensive income	171,041	117,522	303,749	261,041
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	15,962	9,883	26,113	23,846
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	155,079	107,639	277,636	237,195
Parent
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	151,841	107,561	271,625	236,168
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains on cash flow hedges	5,282	212	9,817	1,827
Amortization of terminated hedge	(84)	(84)	(168)	(168)
Other comprehensive income before tax	5,198	128	9,649	1,659
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income	1,960	50	3,638	632
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	3,238	78	6,011	1,027
Comprehensive income	155,079	107,639	277,636	237,195
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	155,079	107,639	277,636	237,195
Guarantors
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	156,023	112,414	282,259	248,596
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains on cash flow hedges	0	0	0	0
Amortization of terminated hedge	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income before tax	0	0	0	0
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	156,023	112,414	282,259	248,596
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	156,023	112,414	282,259	248,596
Non Guarantors
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	72,975	60,921	131,877	136,257
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains on cash flow hedges	0	0	0	0
Amortization of terminated hedge	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income before tax	0	0	0	0
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	72,975	60,921	131,877	136,257
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	15,962	9,883	26,113	23,846
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	57,013	51,038	105,764	112,411
Consolidating Adjustments
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	(213,036)	(163,452)	(388,023)	(361,007)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains on cash flow hedges	0	0	0	0
Amortization of terminated hedge	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income before tax	0	0	0	0
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	(213,036)	(163,452)	(388,023)	(361,007)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	$ (213,036)	$ (163,452)	$ (388,023)	$ (361,007)