Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 3,323,407	$ 3,197,880	$ 6,616,363	$ 6,210,867
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,691,472	1,487,935	3,383,742	2,985,708
Other operating expenses	867,885	769,810	1,688,819	1,479,518
Supplies expense	354,993	338,033	726,066	685,143
Depreciation and amortization	143,850	133,985	287,634	265,388
Lease and rental expense	31,773	29,149	63,811	60,473
Operating Expenses, Total	3,089,973	2,758,912	6,150,072	5,476,230
Income from operations	233,434	438,968	466,291	734,637
Interest expense, net	25,676	21,299	47,349	43,256
Other (income) expense, net	(1,972)	(9,129)	9,229	(8,294)
Income before income taxes	209,730	426,798	409,713	699,675
Provision for income taxes	50,949	101,522	99,911	165,329
Net income	158,781	325,276	309,802	534,346
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5,281)	252	(8,173)	231
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 164,062	$ 325,024	$ 317,975	$ 534,115
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 2.22	$ 3.85	$ 4.27	$ 6.31
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 2.20	$ 3.79	$ 4.22	$ 6.22
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	73,682	84,224	74,356	84,503
Add: Other share equivalents	753	1,400	882	1,207
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	74,435	85,624	75,238	85,710