Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 244,092	$ 100,870	$ 645,056	$ 579,533
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains (losses) on cash flow hedges				(3,925)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	14,245	(10,089)	(18,280)	(19,192)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	14,245	(10,089)	(18,280)	(23,117)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	302	174	(908)	(676)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	13,943	(10,263)	(17,372)	(22,441)
Comprehensive income	258,035	90,607	627,684	557,092
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,813	3,680	9,811	9,855
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	$ 255,222	$ 86,927	$ 617,873	$ 547,237