Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 210,527	$ 215,719
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains (losses) on cash flow hedges	3,066	(14,299)
Amortization of terminated hedge	0	(84)
Unrealized gain on marketable security	1,094	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	7,236	5,986
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	11,396	(8,397)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	1,551	(5,360)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	9,845	(3,037)
Comprehensive income	220,372	212,682
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,472	24,960
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	$ 215,900	$ 187,722