Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net revenues before provision for doubtful accounts									$ 8,411,038	$ 7,688,071	$ 7,356,798
Less: Provision for doubtful accounts									1,127,216	726,671	596,576
Net revenues	1,800,846	1,816,369	1,834,975	1,831,632	1,764,927	1,680,353	1,723,084	1,793,036	7,283,822	6,961,400	6,760,222
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits									3,604,620	3,440,917	3,326,378
Other operating expenses									1,468,744	1,376,122	1,353,693
Supplies expense									821,089	799,621	805,489
Depreciation and amortization									337,172	302,426	287,211
Lease and rental expense									97,758	94,885	90,323
Transaction costs									0	5,716	0
Electronic health records incentive income									(61,024)	(30,038)	0
Costs related to extinguishment of debt									0	29,170	0
Operating Expenses, Total									6,268,359	6,018,819	5,863,094
Income from operations									1,015,463	942,581	897,128
Interest expense, net									146,131	178,918	200,792
Income before income taxes									869,332	763,663	696,336
Provision for income taxes									315,309	274,616	247,466
Net income	133,186	123,099	167,803	129,935	147,660	81,373	117,444	142,570	554,023	489,047	448,870
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	8,665	8,512	15,962	10,151	12,199	9,556	9,883	13,963	43,290	45,601	50,703
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 124,521	$ 114,587	$ 151,841	$ 119,784	$ 135,461	$ 71,817	$ 107,561	$ 128,607	$ 510,733	$ 443,446	$ 398,167
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 1.27	$ 1.17	$ 1.55	$ 1.23	$ 1.39	$ 0.74	$ 1.11	$ 1.33	$ 5.21	$ 4.57	$ 4.09
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 1.24	$ 1.15	$ 1.53	$ 1.21	$ 1.39	$ 0.73	$ 1.10	$ 1.31	$ 5.14	$ 4.53	$ 4.04
Weighted average number of common shares-basic									98,033	96,821	97,199
Add: Other share equivalents									1,328	890	1,338
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents-diluted									99,361	97,711	98,537