Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues before provision for doubtful accounts		$ 2,827,709		$ 5,653,181
Less: Provision for doubtful accounts		215,353		427,967
Net revenues	$ 2,681,353	2,612,356	$ 5,368,869	5,225,214
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,305,974	1,236,294	2,606,122	2,474,258
Other operating expenses	624,484	632,193	1,245,303	1,239,553
Supplies expense	289,733	274,539	582,662	552,153
Depreciation and amortization	109,581	113,112	222,684	223,910
Lease and rental expense	27,119	26,027	53,822	51,216
Operating Expenses, Total	2,356,891	2,282,165	4,710,593	4,541,090
Income from operations	324,462	330,191	658,276	684,124
Interest expense, net	38,000	35,920	75,576	71,427
Other (income) expense, net	(15,308)		(15,308)
Income before income taxes	301,770	294,271	598,008	612,697
Provision for income taxes	71,059	103,883	138,628	211,782
Net income	230,711	190,388	459,380	400,915
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,659	4,994	9,496	9,466
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 226,052	$ 185,394	$ 449,884	$ 391,449
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 2.40	$ 1.93	$ 4.78	$ 4.06
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 2.39	$ 1.91	$ 4.76	$ 4.03
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	93,842	96,247	94,034	96,416
Add: Other share equivalents	439	795	448	791
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	94,281	97,042	94,482	97,207