Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations									$ 448,870	$ 275,795	$ 304,247
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest									(50,703)	(45,612)	(43,874)
Less: Net income attributable to unvested restricted share grants									(521)	(918)	(1,146)
Net income attributable to UHS - basic and diluted									$ 397,646	$ 229,265	$ 259,227
Weighted average number of common shares-basic									97,199	96,786	97,794
Total basic earnings per share	$ 0.99	$ 0.87	$ 1.06	$ 1.17	$ 0.38	$ 0.57	$ 0.68	$ 0.74	$ 4.09	$ 2.37	$ 2.65
Net effect of dilutive stock options and grants based on the treasury stock method									1,338	1,187	481
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents-diluted									98,537	97,973	98,275
Total diluted earnings per share	$ 0.98	$ 0.86	$ 1.04	$ 1.15	$ 0.38	$ 0.57	$ 0.67	$ 0.73	$ 4.04	$ 2.34	$ 2.64