Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 952,790	$ 827,543	$ 797,883
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized derivative losses on cash flow hedges	0	(3,925)	(2,805)
Minimum pension liability	4,428	8,503	(6,892)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	13,619	27,886	9,718
Other	0	0	4,398
Other comprehensive income before tax	18,047	32,464	4,419
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income	1,820	4,813	8,905
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	16,227	27,651	(4,486)
Comprehensive income	969,017	855,194	793,397
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	8,837	12,689	18,178
Comprehensive income attributable to UHS	$ 960,180	$ 842,505	$ 775,219