Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 747,171	$ 750,698	$ 604,996
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative gains on cash flow hedges	1,438	4,970	17,668
Amortization of terminated hedge	(167)	(336)	(336)
Minimum pension liability	13,356	2,177	(14,270)
Unrealized loss on marketable security	(2,229)	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(10,038)	(1,728)	(2,431)
Other comprehensive income before tax	2,360	5,083	631
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income	4,648	2,980	1,053
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(2,288)	2,103	(422)
Comprehensive income	744,883	752,801	604,574
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	44,762	70,170	59,653
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	$ 700,121	$ 682,631	$ 544,921