Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Basic and Diluted:
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 163,115	$ 153,913
Less: Net income attributable to unvested restricted share grants	(129)	(249)
Net income attributable to UHS – basic and diluted	$ 162,986	$ 153,664
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	70,535	75,030
Net effect of dilutive stock options and grants based on the treasury stock method	952	1,011
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	71,487	76,041
Earnings per basic share attributable to UHS:	$ 2.31	$ 2.05
Earnings per diluted share attributable to UHS:	$ 2.28	$ 2.02