Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 2,829,667	$ 2,804,391
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,432,669	1,365,546
Other operating expenses	689,790	644,780
Supplies expense	317,827	307,463
Depreciation and amortization	124,394	120,040
Lease and rental expense	28,293	26,125
Operating Expenses, Total	2,592,973	2,463,954
Income from operations	236,694	340,437
Interest expense, net	36,351	39,640
Other (income) expense, net	9,560	4,501
Income before income taxes	190,783	296,296
Provision for income taxes	46,323	58,898
Net income	144,460	237,398
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,423	3,230
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 142,037	$ 234,168
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 1.64	$ 2.57
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 1.64	$ 2.57
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	86,212	90,776
Add: Other share equivalents	243	191
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	86,455	90,967