Earnings Per Share Data ("EPS") and Stock Based Compensation (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]

Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share for Classes A, B, C and D Common Stockholders

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for classes A, B, C and D common stockholders for the periods indicated (in thousands, except per share data): 

	Three months ended June 30,						Six months ended June 30,
	2017			2016			2017			2016
Basic and Diluted:
Net income attributable to UHS	$	185,394		$	185,577		$	391,449		$	376,336
Less: Net income attributable to unvested restricted share    grants		(82	)		(84	)		(176	)		(173	)
Net income attributable to UHS – basic and diluted	$	185,312		$	185,493		$	391,273		$	376,163
Weighted average number of common shares - basic		96,247			97,109			96,416			97,358
Net effect of dilutive stock options and grants based on the    treasury stock method		795			1,280			791			1,284
Weighted average number of common shares and    equivalents - diluted		97,042			98,389			97,207			98,642
Earnings per basic share attributable to UHS:	$	1.93		$	1.91		$	4.06		$	3.86
Earnings per diluted share attributable to UHS:	$	1.91		$	1.89		$	4.03		$	3.81