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Dispositions and Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |
Payment to acquired real properties | $ 1 | $ 25
Aggregate cash proceeds from divestiture of businesses | $ 37 | $ 56
Peak Behavioral Health Services |  |
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |
Number of acute care hospital beds included in sale | 104 |
Previously Closed [Member] |  |
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |
Real property previously closed and sold | 5 | 2
Hospital San Juan Capestrano |  |
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |
Number of acute care hospital beds included in sale |  | 108

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- Definition Number of Beds + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | uhs_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Number Of Facilities Closed In Prior Years + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | uhs_NumberOfFacilitiesClosedInPriorYears
Namespace Prefix: | uhs_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition The cash outflow for acquisition of or capital improvements of property, plant and equipment, used to produce goods or deliver services, and not otherwise defined in the taxonomy. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition This element represents the cash inflow during the period from the sale of a component of the entity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3179-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinessesNetOfCashDivested
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_SignificantAcquisitionsAndDisposalsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration