Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	$ 2,439,071	$ 2,196,513	$ 7,271,852	$ 6,570,732
Less: Provision for doubtful accounts	211,416	157,796	543,640	541,935
Net revenues	2,227,655	2,038,717	6,728,212	6,028,797
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,057,226	953,583	3,132,993	2,850,868
Other operating expenses	529,383	533,753	1,571,060	1,394,326
Supplies expense	242,259	222,708	721,979	662,280
Depreciation and amortization	99,442	93,456	295,697	277,506
Lease and rental expense	24,544	23,860	70,631	70,656
Electronic health records incentive income	(356)	(1,425)	(1,751)	(4,029)
Costs related to extinguishment of debt	0	36,171	0	36,171
Operating Expenses, Total	1,952,498	1,862,106	5,790,609	5,287,778
Income from operations	275,157	176,611	937,603	741,019
Interest expense, net	27,130	32,133	84,851	102,413
Income before income taxes	248,027	144,478	852,752	638,606
Provision for income taxes	84,373	48,440	293,371	224,102
Net income	163,654	96,038	559,381	414,504
Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interests	13,367	13,241	52,602	41,958
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 150,287	$ 82,797	$ 506,779	$ 372,546
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 1.52	$ 0.84	$ 5.12	$ 3.77
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 1.48	$ 0.82	$ 5.02	$ 3.71
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	98,858	99,052	98,924	98,832
Add: Other share equivalents	2,301	1,981	1,987	1,643
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	101,159	101,033	100,911	100,475