Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net revenues before provision for doubtful accounts									$ 8,764,309	$ 8,411,038	$ 7,688,071
Less: Provision for doubtful accounts									698,983	1,127,216	726,671
Net revenues	2,107,581	2,017,758	2,019,821	1,920,166	1,800,846	1,816,369	1,834,975	1,831,632	8,065,326	7,283,822	6,961,400
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits									3,845,461	3,604,620	3,440,917
Other operating expenses									1,782,981	1,468,744	1,376,122
Supplies expense									895,693	821,089	799,621
Depreciation and amortization									375,624	337,172	302,426
Lease and rental expense									93,993	97,758	94,885
Transaction costs									0	0	5,716
Electronic health records incentive income									(27,902)	(61,024)	(30,038)
Costs related to extinguishment of debt									36,171	0	29,170
Operating Expenses, Total									7,002,021	6,268,359	6,018,819
Income from operations									1,063,305	1,015,463	942,581
Interest expense, net									133,638	146,131	178,918
Income before income taxes									929,667	869,332	763,663
Provision for income taxes									324,671	315,309	274,616
Net income	190,492	96,038	166,614	151,852	133,186	123,099	167,803	129,935	604,996	554,023	489,047
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	17,695	13,241	14,943	13,774	8,665	8,512	15,962	10,151	59,653	43,290	45,601
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 172,797	$ 82,797	$ 151,671	$ 138,078	$ 124,521	$ 114,587	$ 151,841	$ 119,784	$ 545,343	$ 510,733	$ 443,446
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 1.75	$ 0.84	$ 1.53	$ 1.40	$ 1.27	$ 1.17	$ 1.55	$ 1.23	$ 5.52	$ 5.21	$ 4.57
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 1.71	$ 0.82	$ 1.51	$ 1.38	$ 1.24	$ 1.15	$ 1.53	$ 1.21	$ 5.42	$ 5.14	$ 4.53
Weighted average number of common shares-basic									98,826	98,033	96,821
Add: Other share equivalents									1,718	1,328	890
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents-diluted									100,544	99,361	97,711