Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 987,632	$ 952,790	$ 827,543
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative losses on cash flow hedges	0	0	(3,925)
Minimum pension liability	1,427	4,428	8,503
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(20,743)	13,619	27,886
Other comprehensive income before tax	(19,316)	18,047	32,464
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income	(1,487)	1,820	4,813
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(17,829)	16,227	27,651
Comprehensive income	969,803	969,017	855,194
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,958)	8,837	12,689
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	$ 973,761	$ 960,180	$ 842,505