Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues before provision for doubtful accounts		$ 2,775,790		$ 8,428,971
Less: Provision for doubtful accounts		233,926		661,893
Net revenues	$ 2,648,913	2,541,864	$ 8,017,782	7,767,078
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,316,710	1,251,528	3,922,832	3,725,786
Other operating expenses	651,442	628,523	1,896,745	1,868,076
Supplies expense	285,201	268,089	867,863	820,242
Depreciation and amortization	112,286	110,217	334,970	334,127
Lease and rental expense	26,110	26,197	79,932	77,413
Operating Expenses, Total	2,391,749	2,284,554	7,102,342	6,825,644
Income from operations	257,164	257,310	915,440	941,434
Interest expense, net	39,506	36,956	115,082	108,383
Other (income) expense, net	(11,409)		(26,717)
Income before income taxes	229,067	220,354	827,075	833,051
Provision for income taxes	54,186	74,992	192,814	286,774
Net income	174,881	145,362	634,261	546,277
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	3,135	4,117	12,631	13,583
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 171,746	$ 141,245	$ 621,630	$ 532,694
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 1.85	$ 1.48	$ 6.63	$ 5.54
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 1.84	$ 1.47	$ 6.60	$ 5.50
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	92,849	95,246	93,639	96,026
Add: Other share equivalents	481	731	459	771
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	93,330	95,977	94,098	96,797