Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Basic and Diluted:
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 164,062	$ 325,024	$ 317,975	$ 534,115
Less: Net income attributable to unvested restricted share grants	(164)	(661)	(413)	(1,213)
Net income attributable to UHS – basic and diluted	$ 163,898	$ 324,363	$ 317,562	$ 532,902
Weighted average number of common shares - basic	73,682	84,224	74,356	84,503
Net effect of dilutive stock options and grants based on the treasury stock method	753	1,400	882	1,207
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents - diluted	74,435	85,624	75,238	85,710
Earnings per basic share attributable to UHS:	$ 2.22	$ 3.85	$ 4.27	$ 6.31
Earnings per diluted share attributable to UHS:	$ 2.20	$ 3.79	$ 4.22	$ 6.22