Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 12,642,117	$ 11,558,897	$ 11,378,259
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	6,163,944	5,613,097	5,588,893
Other operating expenses	3,035,869	2,672,762	2,723,911
Supplies expense	1,427,134	1,288,132	1,251,346
Depreciation and amortization	533,213	510,493	490,392
Lease and rental expense	118,863	116,059	107,809
Operating Expenses, Total	11,279,023	10,200,543	10,162,351
Income from operations	1,363,094	1,358,354	1,215,908
Interest expense, net	83,672	106,285	162,733
Other (income) expense, net	(13,891)	(14)	(13,162)
Income before income taxes	1,293,313	1,252,083	1,066,337
Provision for income taxes	305,681	299,293	238,794
Net income	987,632	952,790	827,543
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,958)	8,837	12,689
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 991,590	$ 943,953	$ 814,854
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 11.99	$ 11.06	$ 9.16
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 11.82	$ 10.99	$ 9.13
Weighted average number of common shares—basic	82,519	85,061	88,762
Add: Other share equivalents	1,173	526	278
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents—diluted	83,692	85,587	89,040