Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 191,317	$ 163,654	$ 201,404	$ 194,323	$ 190,492	$ 96,038	$ 166,614	$ 151,852	$ 750,698	$ 604,996	$ 554,023
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains (losses) on cash flow hedges									4,970	17,668	16,963
Amortization of terminated hedge									(336)	(336)	(336)
Minimum pension liability									2,177	(14,270)	14,657
Foreign currency translation adjustment									(1,728)	(2,431)	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax									5,083	631	31,284
Income tax (benefit) expense related to items of other comprehensive income									2,980	1,053	11,940
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax									2,103	(422)	19,344
Comprehensive income									752,801	604,574	573,367
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									70,170	59,653	43,290
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS									$ 682,631	$ 544,921	$ 530,077