Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 174,881	$ 145,362	$ 634,261	$ 546,277
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains (losses) on cash flow hedges	(1,924)	610	(345)	3,547
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(12,323)	983	(15,480)	9,932
Other		(2,515)		1,645
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	(14,247)	(922)	(15,825)	15,124
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	293	(711)	(82)	1,935
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(14,540)	(211)	(15,743)	13,189
Comprehensive income	160,341	145,151	618,518	559,466
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	3,135	4,117	12,631	13,583
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	$ 157,206	$ 141,034	$ 605,887	$ 545,883