Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Basic and Diluted:
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 251,929	$ 238,320	$ 393,966	$ 472,488
Less: Net income attributable to unvested restricted share grants	(824)	(656)	(1,197)	(1,171)
Net income attributable to UHS – basic and diluted	$ 251,105	$ 237,664	$ 392,769	$ 471,317
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	84,632	89,136	85,422	89,956
Net effect of dilutive stock options and grants based on the treasury stock method	427	99	335	145
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	85,059	89,235	85,757	90,101
Earnings per basic share attributable to UHS:	$ 2.97	$ 2.67	$ 4.60	$ 5.24
Earnings per diluted share attributable to UHS:	$ 2.95	$ 2.66	$ 4.58	$ 5.23