Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 2,822,453	$ 2,648,913	$ 8,482,012	$ 8,017,782
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,408,226	1,316,710	4,157,253	3,922,832
Other operating expenses	762,174	651,442	2,079,518	1,896,745
Supplies expense	313,936	285,201	927,256	867,863
Depreciation and amortization	121,528	112,286	362,736	334,970
Lease and rental expense	27,660	26,110	80,320	79,932
Operating Expenses, Total	2,633,524	2,391,749	7,607,083	7,102,342
Income from operations	188,929	257,164	874,929	915,440
Interest expense, net	41,447	39,506	123,574	115,082
Other (income) expense, net	9,407	(11,409)	6,176	(26,717)
Income before income taxes	138,075	229,067	745,179	827,075
Provision for income taxes	37,205	54,186	165,646	192,814
Net income	100,870	174,881	579,533	634,261
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	3,680	3,135	9,855	12,631
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 97,190	$ 171,746	$ 569,678	$ 621,630
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 1.10	$ 1.85	$ 6.36	$ 6.63
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 1.10	$ 1.84	$ 6.35	$ 6.60
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	87,952	92,849	89,288	93,639
Add: Other share equivalents	403	481	231	459
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	88,355	93,330	89,519	94,098