Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 145,362	$ 157,265	$ 546,277	$ 568,433
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains (losses) on cash flow hedges	610	6,424	3,547	(11,644)
Amortization of terminated hedge	0	0	0	(167)
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable security	(2,515)	(134)	1,645	(755)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	983	(10,973)	9,932	(9,150)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	(922)	(4,683)	15,124	(21,716)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	(711)	2,346	1,935	(4,681)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(211)	(7,029)	13,189	(17,035)
Comprehensive income	145,151	150,236	559,466	551,398
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,117	5,400	13,583	40,232
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	$ 141,034	$ 144,836	$ 545,883	$ 511,166