Quarterly Results (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 2,315,239	$ 2,227,655	$ 2,275,204	$ 2,225,353	$ 2,176,291	$ 2,038,717	$ 2,051,766	$ 1,938,314	$ 9,043,451	$ 8,205,088	$ 7,367,873
Net income	191,317	163,654	201,404	194,323	190,492	96,038	166,614	151,852	750,698	604,996	554,023
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	17,568	13,367	19,211	20,024	17,695	13,241	14,943	13,774	70,170	59,653	43,290
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 173,749	$ 150,287	$ 182,193	$ 174,299	$ 172,797	$ 82,797	$ 151,671	$ 138,078	$ 680,528	$ 545,343	$ 510,733
Total basic earnings per share	$ 1.76	$ 1.52	$ 1.84	$ 1.76	$ 1.75	$ 0.84	$ 1.53	$ 1.40	$ 6.89	$ 5.52	$ 5.21
Total diluted earnings per share	$ 1.74	$ 1.48	$ 1.80	$ 1.73	$ 1.71	$ 0.82	$ 1.51	$ 1.38	$ 6.76	$ 5.42	$ 5.14