Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2025	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 17,364,829	$ 15,827,935	$ 14,281,976
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	8,084,582	7,518,687	7,107,484
Other operating expenses	4,860,246	4,308,384	3,757,216
Supplies expense	1,659,009	1,587,786	1,532,828
Depreciation and amortization	618,743	584,831	568,041
Lease and rental expense	148,234	146,433	141,026
Operating Expenses, Total	15,370,814	14,146,121	13,106,595
Income from operations	1,994,015	1,681,814	1,175,381
Interest expense, net	156,068	186,109	206,674
Other (income) expense, net	(134,194)	(2,231)	28,281
Income before income taxes	1,972,141	1,497,936	940,426
Provision for income taxes	460,959	334,827	221,119
Net income	1,511,182	1,163,109	719,307
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	22,386	21,012	1,512
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 1,488,796	$ 1,142,097	$ 717,795
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 23.42	$ 17.16	$ 10.35
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 23.10	$ 16.82	$ 10.23
Weighted average number of common shares—basic	63,581	66,554	69,321
Add: Other share equivalents	881	1,342	804
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents—diluted	64,462	67,896	70,125