Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	$ 2,775,790	$ 2,610,911	$ 8,428,971	$ 7,869,352
Less: Provision for doubtful accounts	233,926	201,039	661,893	578,827
Net revenues	2,541,864	2,409,872	7,767,078	7,290,525
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,251,528	1,149,729	3,725,786	3,428,801
Other operating expenses	628,523	597,270	1,868,076	1,744,849
Supplies expense	268,089	257,793	820,242	767,465
Depreciation and amortization	110,217	103,712	334,127	309,172
Lease and rental expense	26,197	23,799	77,413	73,057
Operating Expenses, Total	2,284,554	2,132,303	6,825,644	6,323,344
Income from operations	257,310	277,569	941,434	967,181
Interest expense, net	36,956	32,129	108,383	92,171
Income before income taxes	220,354	245,440	833,051	875,010
Provision for income taxes	74,992	88,175	286,774	306,577
Net income	145,362	157,265	546,277	568,433
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,117	5,400	13,583	40,232
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 141,245	$ 151,865	$ 532,694	$ 528,201
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 1.48	$ 1.56	$ 5.54	$ 5.43
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 1.47	$ 1.54	$ 5.50	$ 5.36
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	95,246	97,118	96,026	97,278
Add: Other share equivalents	731	1,203	771	1,257
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	95,977	98,321	96,797	98,535