Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	$ 2,825,472	$ 2,619,593
Less: Provision for doubtful accounts	212,614	169,795
Net revenues	2,612,858	2,449,798
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,237,964	1,148,139
Other operating expenses	607,360	561,584
Supplies expense	277,614	255,250
Depreciation and amortization	110,798	104,049
Lease and rental expense	25,189	24,452
Operating Expenses, Total	2,258,925	2,093,474
Income from operations	353,933	356,324
Interest expense, net	35,507	29,600
Income before income taxes	318,426	326,724
Provision for income taxes	107,899	111,005
Net income	210,527	215,719
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,472	24,960
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 206,055	$ 190,759
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 2.13	$ 1.95
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 2.12	$ 1.93
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	96,585	97,607
Add: Other share equivalents	787	1,288
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	97,372	98,895