Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 230,711	$ 190,388	$ 459,380	$ 400,915
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains (losses) on cash flow hedges	(545)	(129)	1,579	2,937
Foreign currency translation adjustment	1,184	1,713	(3,157)	8,949
Other	(2,367)	3,066		4,160
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	(1,728)	4,650	(1,578)	16,046
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,452)	1,095	(375)	2,646
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(276)	3,555	(1,203)	13,400
Comprehensive income	230,435	193,943	458,177	414,315
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,659	4,994	9,496	9,466
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	$ 225,776	$ 188,949	$ 448,681	$ 404,849