Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Basic and Diluted:
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 142,037	$ 234,168
Less: Net income attributable to unvested restricted share grants	(373)	(515)
Net income attributable to UHS – basic and diluted	$ 141,664	$ 233,653
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	86,212	90,776
Net effect of dilutive stock options and grants based on the treasury stock method	243	191
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	86,455	90,967
Earnings per basic share attributable to UHS:	$ 1.64	$ 2.57
Earnings per diluted share attributable to UHS:	$ 1.64	$ 2.57