Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 2,855,168	$ 2,681,353	$ 5,659,559	$ 5,368,869
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,383,481	1,305,974	2,749,027	2,606,122
Other operating expenses	672,564	624,484	1,317,344	1,245,303
Supplies expense	305,857	289,733	613,320	582,662
Depreciation and amortization	121,168	109,581	241,208	222,684
Lease and rental expense	26,535	27,119	52,660	53,822
Operating Expenses, Total	2,509,605	2,356,891	4,973,559	4,710,593
Income from operations	345,563	324,462	686,000	658,276
Interest expense, net	42,487	38,000	82,127	75,576
Other (income) expense, net	(7,732)	(15,308)	(3,231)	(15,308)
Income before income taxes	310,808	301,770	607,104	598,008
Provision for income taxes	69,543	71,059	128,441	138,628
Net income	241,265	230,711	478,663	459,380
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,945	4,659	6,175	9,496
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 238,320	$ 226,052	$ 472,488	$ 449,884
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 2.67	$ 2.40	$ 5.24	$ 4.78
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 2.66	$ 2.39	$ 5.23	$ 4.76
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	89,136	93,842	89,956	94,034
Add: Other share equivalents	99	439	145	448
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	89,235	94,281	90,101	94,482