Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 163,654	$ 96,038	$ 559,381	$ 414,504
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains (losses) on cash flow hedges	(9,888)	4,712	(4,950)	12,922
Amortization of terminated hedge	(84)	(84)	(252)	(252)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(2,304)	(2,506)	(96)	(2,506)
Other comprehensive income before tax	(12,276)	2,122	(5,298)	10,164
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income	(3,742)	1,620	(1,530)	4,685
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	(8,534)	502	(3,768)	5,479
Comprehensive income	155,120	96,540	555,613	419,983
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	13,367	13,241	52,602	41,958
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	$ 141,753	$ 83,299	$ 503,011	$ 378,025