Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	$ 2,610,911	$ 2,439,071	$ 7,869,352	$ 7,271,852
Less: Provision for doubtful accounts	201,039	211,416	578,827	543,640
Net revenues	2,409,872	2,227,655	7,290,525	6,728,212
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,149,729	1,057,226	3,428,801	3,132,993
Other operating expenses	597,270	529,383	1,744,849	1,571,060
Supplies expense	257,793	242,259	767,465	721,979
Depreciation and amortization	103,712	99,442	309,172	295,697
Lease and rental expense	23,799	24,544	73,057	70,631
Electronic health records incentive income	0	(356)	0	(1,751)
Operating Expenses, Total	2,132,303	1,952,498	6,323,344	5,790,609
Income from operations	277,569	275,157	967,181	937,603
Interest expense, net	32,129	27,130	92,171	84,851
Income before income taxes	245,440	248,027	875,010	852,752
Provision for income taxes	88,175	84,373	306,577	293,371
Net income	157,265	163,654	568,433	559,381
Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interests	5,400	13,367	40,232	52,602
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 151,865	$ 150,287	$ 528,201	$ 506,779
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 1.56	$ 1.52	$ 5.43	$ 5.12
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 1.54	$ 1.48	$ 5.36	$ 5.02
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	97,118	98,858	97,278	98,924
Add: Other share equivalents	1,203	2,301	1,257	1,987
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	98,321	101,159	98,535	100,911