Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 13,399,370	$ 12,642,117	$ 11,558,897
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	6,762,256	6,163,944	5,613,097
Other operating expenses	3,445,733	3,035,869	2,672,762
Supplies expense	1,474,339	1,427,134	1,288,132
Depreciation and amortization	581,861	533,213	510,493
Lease and rental expense	131,626	118,863	116,059
Operating Expenses, Total	12,395,815	11,279,023	10,200,543
Income from operations	1,003,555	1,363,094	1,358,354
Interest expense, net	126,889	83,672	106,285
Other (income) expense, net	10,406	(13,891)	(14)
Income before income taxes	866,260	1,293,313	1,252,083
Provision for income taxes	209,278	305,681	299,293
Net income	656,982	987,632	952,790
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(18,627)	(3,958)	8,837
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 675,609	$ 991,590	$ 943,953
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 9.23	$ 11.99	$ 11.06
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 9.14	$ 11.82	$ 10.99
Weighted average number of common shares—basic	73,118	82,519	85,061
Add: Other share equivalents	714	1,173	526
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents—diluted	73,832	83,692	85,587