Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 241,265	$ 230,711	$ 478,663	$ 459,380
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains (losses) on cash flow hedges	(1,008)	(545)	(3,925)	1,579
Foreign currency translation adjustment	5,159	1,184	(9,103)	(3,157)
Other		(2,367)		0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	4,151	(1,728)	(13,028)	(1,578)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	1,616	(702)	(850)	375
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	2,535	(1,026)	(12,178)	(1,953)
Comprehensive income	243,800	229,685	466,485	457,427
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,945	4,659	6,175	9,496
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	$ 240,855	$ 225,026	$ 460,310	$ 447,931