Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022	Oct. 31, 2022
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2022
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	UHS
Entity Registrant Name	UNIVERSAL HEALTH SERVICES, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000352915
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	1-10765
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	23-2077891
Entity Address, Address Line One	UNIVERSAL CORPORATE CENTER
Entity Address, Address Line Two	367 SOUTH GULPH ROAD
Entity Address, City or Town	KING OF PRUSSIA
Entity Address, State or Province	PA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	19406
City Area Code	610
Local Phone Number	768-3300
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Title of 12(b) Security	Class B Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Class A
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		6,577,100
Class B
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		64,157,474
Class C
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		661,688
Class D
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		14,170