Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	$ 123,099	$ 81,373	$ 420,837	$ 341,387
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains on cash flow hedges	3,054	(45)	12,871	1,782
Amortization of terminated hedge	(84)	(84)	(252)	(252)
Other comprehensive income before tax	2,970	(129)	12,619	1,530
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income	1,120	(47)	4,758	585
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	1,850	(82)	7,861	945
Comprehensive income	124,949	81,291	428,698	342,332
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	8,512	9,556	34,625	33,402
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	116,437	71,735	394,073	308,930
Parent
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	114,587	71,817	386,212	307,985
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains on cash flow hedges	3,054	(45)	12,871	1,782
Amortization of terminated hedge	(84)	(84)	(252)	(252)
Other comprehensive income before tax	2,970	(129)	12,619	1,530
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income	1,120	(47)	4,758	585
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	1,850	(82)	7,861	945
Comprehensive income	116,437	71,735	394,073	308,930
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	116,437	71,735	394,073	308,930
Guarantors
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	113,812	95,718	396,071	344,313
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	113,812	95,718	396,071	344,313
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	113,812	95,718	396,071	344,313
Non Guarantors
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	56,378	55,639	188,255	191,897
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	56,378	55,639	188,255	191,897
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	8,512	9,556	34,625	33,402
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	47,866	46,083	153,630	158,495
Consolidating Adjustments
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	(161,678)	(141,801)	(549,701)	(502,808)
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	(161,678)	(141,801)	(549,701)	(502,808)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	$ (161,678)	$ (141,801)	$ (549,701)	$ (502,808)