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

9 Months Ended

Sep. 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 September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
	2017			2016			2017			2016
Basic and Diluted:
Net income attributable to UHS	$	141,245		$	151,865		$	532,694		$	528,201
Less: Net income attributable to unvested restricted share    grants		(81	)		(69	)		(257	)		(242	)
Net income attributable to UHS – basic and diluted	$	141,164		$	151,796		$	532,437		$	527,959
Weighted average number of common shares - basic		95,246			97,118			96,026			97,278
Net effect of dilutive stock options and grants based on the    treasury stock method		731			1,203			771			1,257
Weighted average number of common shares and    equivalents - diluted		95,977			98,321			96,797			98,535
Earnings per basic share attributable to UHS:	$	1.48		$	1.56		$	5.54		$	5.43
Earnings per diluted share attributable to UHS:	$	1.47		$	1.54		$	5.50		$	5.36