Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	$ 11,278,942	$ 10,507,788	$ 9,784,724
Less: Provision for doubtful accounts	869,077	741,578	741,273
Net revenues	10,409,865	9,766,210	9,043,451
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	4,980,637	4,585,530	4,212,387
Other operating expenses	2,493,062	2,359,339	2,119,805
Supplies expense	1,105,096	1,031,337	974,088
Depreciation and amortization	447,765	416,608	398,618
Lease and rental expense	103,127	97,324	94,973
Electronic health records incentive income	0	(5,339)	(15,815)
Operating Expenses, Total	9,129,687	8,484,799	7,784,056
Income from operations	1,280,178	1,281,411	1,259,395
Interest expense, net	145,169	125,053	113,494
Income before income taxes	1,135,009	1,156,358	1,145,901
Provision for income taxes	363,697	409,187	395,203
Net income	771,312	747,171	750,698
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	19,009	44,762	70,170
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 752,303	$ 702,409	$ 680,528
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 7.86	$ 7.22	$ 6.89
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 7.81	$ 7.14	$ 6.76
Weighted average number of common shares—basic	95,652	97,208	98,797
Add: Other share equivalents	673	1,172	1,897
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents—diluted	96,325	98,380	100,694