Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share for classes A, B, C and D Common Stockholders (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Basic and Diluted:
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 150,287	$ 82,797	$ 506,779	$ 372,546
Less: Net income attributable to unvested restricted share grants	(82)	(17)	(221)	(164)
Net income attributable to UHS – basic and diluted	$ 150,205	$ 82,780	$ 506,558	$ 372,382
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	98,858	99,052	98,924	98,832
Net effect of dilutive stock options and grants based on the treasury stock method	2,301	1,981	1,987	1,643
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	101,159	101,033	100,911	100,475
Earnings per basic share attributable to UHS:	$ 1.52	$ 0.84	$ 5.12	$ 3.77
Earnings per diluted share attributable to UHS:	$ 1.48	$ 0.82	$ 5.02	$ 3.71