Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 3,155,999	$ 2,912,541	$ 9,366,866	$ 8,471,962
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,556,448	1,406,348	4,542,156	4,147,027
Other operating expenses	754,072	666,665	2,233,590	1,982,202
Supplies expense	367,834	335,409	1,052,977	936,808
Depreciation and amortization	134,462	125,961	399,850	376,563
Lease and rental expense	28,375	28,488	88,848	84,967
Operating Expenses, Total	2,841,191	2,562,871	8,317,421	7,527,567
Income from operations	314,808	349,670	1,049,445	944,395
Interest expense, net	21,199	24,575	64,455	86,399
Other (income) expense, net	6,719	1,831	(1,575)	8,291
Income before income taxes	286,890	323,264	986,565	849,705
Provision for income taxes	67,515	79,172	232,844	204,649
Net income	219,375	244,092	753,721	645,056
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,024	2,813	1,255	9,811
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 218,351	$ 241,279	$ 752,466	$ 635,245
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 2.65	$ 2.84	$ 8.96	$ 7.44
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 2.60	$ 2.82	$ 8.83	$ 7.40
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	82,262	84,672	83,756	85,172
Add: Other share equivalents	1,411	575	1,275	415
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	83,673	85,247	85,031	85,587