Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues before provision for doubtful accounts		$ 2,825,472
Less: Provision for doubtful accounts		212,614
Net revenues	$ 2,687,516	2,612,858
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,300,148	1,237,964
Other operating expenses	620,819	607,360
Supplies expense	292,929	277,614
Depreciation and amortization	113,103	110,798
Lease and rental expense	26,703	25,189
Operating Expenses, Total	2,353,702	2,258,925
Income from operations	333,814	353,933
Interest expense, net	37,576	35,507
Income before income taxes	296,238	318,426
Provision for income taxes	67,569	107,899
Net income	228,669	210,527
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,837	4,472
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 223,832	$ 206,055
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 2.37	$ 2.13
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 2.36	$ 2.12
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	94,226	96,585
Add: Other share equivalents	457	787
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	94,683	97,372