Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 3,012,987	$ 2,829,667
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,497,773	1,432,669
Other operating expenses	709,708	689,790
Supplies expense	347,110	317,827
Depreciation and amortization	131,403	124,394
Lease and rental expense	31,324	28,293
Operating Expenses, Total	2,717,318	2,592,973
Income from operations	295,669	236,694
Interest expense, net	21,957	36,351
Other (income) expense, net	835	9,560
Income before income taxes	272,877	190,783
Provision for income taxes	63,807	46,323
Net income	209,070	144,460
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(21)	2,423
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 209,091	$ 142,037
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 2.46	$ 1.64
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 2.43	$ 1.64
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	84,782	86,212
Add: Other share equivalents	1,014	243
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	85,796	86,455