Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 2,912,541	$ 2,822,453	$ 8,471,962	$ 8,482,012
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,406,348	1,408,226	4,147,027	4,157,253
Other operating expenses	666,665	762,174	1,982,202	2,079,518
Supplies expense	335,409	313,936	936,808	927,256
Depreciation and amortization	125,961	121,528	376,563	362,736
Lease and rental expense	28,488	27,660	84,967	80,320
Operating Expenses, Total	2,562,871	2,633,524	7,527,567	7,607,083
Income from operations	349,670	188,929	944,395	874,929
Interest expense, net	24,575	41,447	86,399	123,574
Other (income) expense, net	1,831	9,407	8,291	6,176
Income before income taxes	323,264	138,075	849,705	745,179
Provision for income taxes	79,172	37,205	204,649	165,646
Net income	244,092	100,870	645,056	579,533
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,813	3,680	9,811	9,855
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 241,279	$ 97,190	$ 635,245	$ 569,678
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 2.84	$ 1.10	$ 7.44	$ 6.36
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 2.82	$ 1.10	$ 7.40	$ 6.35
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	84,672	87,952	85,172	89,288
Add: Other share equivalents	575	403	415	231
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	85,247	88,355	85,587	89,519