Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 2,729,754	$ 2,855,168	$ 5,559,421	$ 5,659,559
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,308,010	1,383,481	2,740,679	2,749,027
Other operating expenses	625,747	672,564	1,315,537	1,317,344
Supplies expense	283,572	305,857	601,399	613,320
Depreciation and amortization	126,208	121,168	250,602	241,208
Lease and rental expense	28,186	26,535	56,479	52,660
Operating Expenses, Total	2,371,723	2,509,605	4,964,696	4,973,559
Income from operations	358,031	345,563	594,725	686,000
Interest expense, net	25,473	42,487	61,824	82,127
Other (income) expense, net	(3,100)	(7,732)	6,460	(3,231)
Income before income taxes	335,658	310,808	526,441	607,104
Provision for income taxes	79,154	69,543	125,477	128,441
Net income	256,504	241,265	400,964	478,663
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,575	2,945	6,998	6,175
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 251,929	$ 238,320	$ 393,966	$ 472,488
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 2.97	$ 2.67	$ 4.60	$ 5.24
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 2.95	$ 2.66	$ 4.58	$ 5.23
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	84,632	89,136	85,422	89,956
Add: Other share equivalents	427	99	335	145
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	85,059	89,235	85,757	90,101