Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021
Basic and Diluted:
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 182,814	$ 218,351	$ 500,789	$ 752,466
Less: Net income attributable to unvested restricted share grants	(179)	(396)	(592)	(1,609)
Net income attributable to UHS – basic and diluted	$ 182,635	$ 217,955	$ 500,197	$ 750,857
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	72,595	82,262	73,769	83,756
Net effect of dilutive stock options and grants based on the treasury stock method	465	1,411	743	1,275
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	73,060	83,673	74,512	85,031
Earnings per basic share attributable to UHS:	$ 2.52	$ 2.65	$ 6.78	$ 8.96
Earnings per diluted share attributable to UHS:	$ 2.50	$ 2.60	$ 6.71	$ 8.83