Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	$ 2,638,848	$ 2,452,680	$ 5,258,441	$ 4,832,781
Less: Provision for doubtful accounts	207,993	177,476	377,788	332,224
Net revenues	2,430,855	2,275,204	4,880,653	4,500,557
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,130,933	1,044,064	2,279,072	2,075,767
Other operating expenses	585,995	535,711	1,147,579	1,041,677
Supplies expense	254,422	240,979	509,672	479,720
Depreciation and amortization	101,411	97,257	205,460	196,255
Lease and rental expense	24,806	23,196	49,258	46,087
Electronic health records incentive income	0	(1,395)	0	(1,395)
Operating Expenses, Total	2,097,567	1,939,812	4,191,041	3,838,111
Income from operations	333,288	335,392	689,612	662,446
Interest expense, net	30,442	27,684	60,042	57,721
Income before income taxes	302,846	307,708	629,570	604,725
Provision for income taxes	107,397	106,304	218,402	208,998
Net income	195,449	201,404	411,168	395,727
Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interests	9,872	19,211	34,832	39,235
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 185,577	$ 182,193	$ 376,336	$ 356,492
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 1.91	$ 1.84	$ 3.86	$ 3.60
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 1.89	$ 1.80	$ 3.81	$ 3.54
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	97,109	99,004	97,358	98,957
Add: Other share equivalents	1,280	1,923	1,284	1,830
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	98,389	100,927	98,642	100,787