Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	$ 2,619,593	$ 2,380,101
Less: Provision for doubtful accounts	169,795	154,748
Net revenues	2,449,798	2,225,353
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,148,139	1,031,703
Other operating expenses	561,584	505,966
Supplies expense	255,250	238,741
Depreciation and amortization	104,049	98,998
Lease and rental expense	24,452	22,891
Operating Expenses, Total	2,093,474	1,898,299
Income from operations	356,324	327,054
Interest expense, net	29,600	30,037
Income before income taxes	326,724	297,017
Provision for income taxes	111,005	102,694
Net income	215,719	194,323
Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interests	24,960	20,024
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 190,759	$ 174,299
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 1.95	$ 1.76
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 1.93	$ 1.73
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	97,607	98,910
Add: Other share equivalents	1,288	1,737
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	98,895	100,647