Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues before provision for doubtful accounts		$ 11,278,942	$ 10,507,788
Less: Provision for doubtful accounts		869,077	741,578
Net revenues	$ 10,772,278	10,409,865	9,766,210
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	5,254,536	4,980,637	4,585,530
Other operating expenses	2,614,687	2,493,062	2,359,339
Supplies expense	1,168,654	1,105,096	1,031,337
Depreciation and amortization	453,045	447,765	416,608
Lease and rental expense	106,094	103,127	97,324
Electronic health records incentive income	0	0	(5,339)
Operating Expenses, Total	9,597,016	9,129,687	8,484,799
Income from operations	1,175,262	1,280,178	1,281,411
Interest expense, net	154,956	145,169	125,053
Other (income) expense, net	(14,219)	0	0
Income before income taxes	1,034,525	1,135,009	1,156,358
Provision for income taxes	236,642	363,697	409,187
Net income	797,883	771,312	747,171
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	18,178	19,009	44,762
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 779,705	$ 752,303	$ 702,409
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 8.35	$ 7.86	$ 7.22
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 8.31	$ 7.81	$ 7.14
Weighted average number of common shares—basic	93,276	95,652	97,208
Add: Other share equivalents	474	673	1,172
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents—diluted	93,750	96,325	98,380