Quarterly Results (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 2,475,685	$ 2,409,872	$ 2,430,855	$ 2,449,798	$ 2,315,239	$ 2,227,655	$ 2,275,204	$ 2,225,353	$ 9,766,210	$ 9,043,451	$ 8,205,088
Net income	178,738	157,265	195,449	215,719	191,317	163,654	201,404	194,323	747,171	750,698	604,996
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,530	5,400	9,872	24,960	17,568	13,367	19,211	20,024	44,762	70,170	59,653
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 174,208	$ 151,865	$ 185,577	$ 190,759	$ 173,749	$ 150,287	$ 182,193	$ 174,299	$ 702,409	$ 680,528	$ 545,343
Total basic earnings per share	$ 1.80	$ 1.56	$ 1.91	$ 1.95	$ 1.76	$ 1.52	$ 1.84	$ 1.76	$ 7.22	$ 6.89	$ 5.52
Total diluted earnings per share	$ 1.78	$ 1.54	$ 1.89	$ 1.93	$ 1.74	$ 1.48	$ 1.80	$ 1.73	$ 7.14	$ 6.76	$ 5.42