Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 656,982	$ 987,632	$ 952,790
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	18,627	3,958	(8,837)
Less: Net income attributable to unvested restricted share grants	(748)	(2,059)	(2,981)
Net income attributable to UHS—basic and diluted	$ 674,861	$ 989,531	$ 940,972
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS:
Weighted average number of common shares—basic	73,118	82,519	85,061
Total basic earnings per share	$ 9.23	$ 11.99	$ 11.06
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS:
Weighted average number of common shares—basic	73,118	82,519	85,061
Net effect of dilutive stock options and grants based on the treasury stock method	714	1,173	526
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents—diluted	73,832	83,692	85,587
Total diluted earnings per share	$ 9.14	$ 11.82	$ 10.99