Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	$ 10,507,788	$ 9,784,724	$ 8,904,071
Less: Provision for doubtful accounts	741,578	741,273	698,983
Net revenues	9,766,210	9,043,451	8,205,088
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	4,585,530	4,212,387	3,845,461
Other operating expenses	2,359,339	2,119,805	1,922,743
Supplies expense	1,031,337	974,088	895,693
Depreciation and amortization	416,608	398,618	375,624
Lease and rental expense	97,324	94,973	93,993
Electronic health records incentive income	(5,339)	(15,815)	(27,902)
Costs related to extinguishment of debt	0	0	36,171
Operating Expenses, Total	8,484,799	7,784,056	7,141,783
Income from operations	1,281,411	1,259,395	1,063,305
Interest expense, net	125,053	113,494	133,638
Income before income taxes	1,156,358	1,145,901	929,667
Provision for income taxes	409,187	395,203	324,671
Net income	747,171	750,698	604,996
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	44,762	70,170	59,653
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 702,409	$ 680,528	$ 545,343
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 7.22	$ 6.89	$ 5.52
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 7.14	$ 6.76	$ 5.42
Weighted average number of common shares—basic	97,208	98,797	98,826
Add: Other share equivalents	1,172	1,897	1,718
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents—diluted	98,380	100,694	100,544