Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 237,398	$ 228,669
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains (losses) on cash flow hedges	(2,917)	2,124
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(14,262)	(4,341)
Other		2,367
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	(17,179)	150
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,466)	1,077
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(14,713)	(927)
Comprehensive income	222,685	227,742
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	3,230	4,837
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	$ 219,455	$ 222,905