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Long-term debt and cash flow hedges - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended |  |  |
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Mar. 31, 2015 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2011 Derivative | Dec. 31, 2010 Derivative | Dec. 31, 2014 | Aug. 07, 2014 | Aug. 30, 2014 | Aug. 01, 2014 | Jul. 31, 2014 | Oct. 31, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2008 | Jun. 30, 2006
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Reduction of long-term debt | $ 158,871,000 us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt | $ 109,054,000 us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Rate adjustment to weighted average federal funds rate for credit facility borrowings | 0.50%uhs_RateAdjustmentToFederalFundsRateWeightedAverage |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Rate adjustment to one month Eurodollar rate on credit facility borrowings | 1.00%uhs_RateAdjustmentToOneMonthEurodollarRateOnCreditFacilityBorrowings |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable securitization program credit facility, amount outstanding | 325,000,000 us-gaap_PrincipalAmountOutstandingOnLoansSecuritized |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term debt | 3,051,571,000 us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent |  |  |  | 3,210,215,000 us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of debt | 3,200,000,000 us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of additional forward starting interest rate swaps |  |  | 6 uhs_NumberOfAdditionalForwardStartingInterestRateSwaps | 4 uhs_NumberOfAdditionalForwardStartingInterestRateSwaps |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revolving Credit Facility |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Line of credit facility, borrowing capacity | 800,000,000 us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Line of credit facility amount outstanding | 0 us-gaap_LineOfCredit / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current applicable margins | 1.50%uhs_InterestRateMarginAdjustmentPercentage / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Line of credit facility, available borrowing capacity | 739,000,000 us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Letters of credit, outstanding | 40,000,000 us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Term Loan A |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current applicable margins | 1.50%uhs_InterestRateMarginAdjustmentPercentage / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = uhs_TermLoanFacilityMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Term Loan A | Quarterly installment payments commence in the fourth quarter of 2014 through September, 2016 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Scheduled principal payments made |  |  |  |  | 11,000,000 us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = uhs_TermLoanFacilityMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = uhs_GroupThreeMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Term Loan A | Quarterly installment payments after September, 2016 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Scheduled principal payments made |  |  |  |  | 22,000,000 us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = uhs_TermLoanFacilityMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = uhs_GroupFourMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Term Loan B Facility |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Reduction of long-term debt |  |  |  |  |  | 550,000,000 us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = uhs_TermLoanBFacilityMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Line of credit facility, maturity year |  |  |  |  |  | 2016 |  |  |  |  |  |
New Senior Secured Notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Senior notes, repayment terms | Interest is payable on the New Senior Secured Notes on February 1 and August 1 of each year |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Senior notes, interest payment, commencement date | Feb. 01, 2015 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
One Point Nine One Percent Forward Starting Interest Rate Swaps |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Average fixed rate payable on interest rate swap |  |  | 1.91%us-gaap_DerivativeAverageFixedInterestRate / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = uhs_OnePointNineOnePercentForwardStartingInterestRateSwapsMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Two Point Five Zero Percent Forward Starting Interest Rate Swaps |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maturity date of interest rate cash flow hedges |  |  | Dec. 01, 2014 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fixed rate payable on interest rate swap |  |  | 2.50%us-gaap_DerivativeFixedInterestRate / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = uhs_TwoPointFiveZeroPercentForwardStartingInterestRateSwapsMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
One Point Nine Six Percent Forward Starting Interest Rate Swaps |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maturity date of interest rate cash flow hedges |  |  | Dec. 01, 2013 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
One Point Three Two Percent Forward Starting Interest Rate Swaps |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maturity date of interest rate cash flow hedges |  |  | Dec. 01, 2012 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Two Point Three Eight Percent Forward Starting Interest Rate Swaps |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maturity date of interest rate cash flow hedges |  |  |  | May 01, 2015 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fixed rate payable on interest rate swap |  |  |  | 2.38%us-gaap_DerivativeFixedInterestRate / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = uhs_TwoPointThreeEightPercentForwardStartingInterestRateSwapsMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest Rate Swap |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of our interest rate swaps, liability | 2,000,000 us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeLiabilityAtFairValue / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember |  |  |  | 6,000,000 us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeLiabilityAtFairValue / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash Flow Hedging | Forward Starting Interest Rate Swaps |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Notional amount of interest rate cash flow hedges |  |  | 425,000,000 invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = uhs_ForwardStartingInterestRateSwapsMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash Flow Hedging | One Point Nine One Percent Forward Starting Interest Rate Swaps |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Notional amount of interest rate cash flow hedges |  |  | 225,000,000 invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = uhs_OnePointNineOnePercentForwardStartingInterestRateSwapsMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash Flow Hedging | Two Point Five Zero Percent Forward Starting Interest Rate Swaps |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Notional amount of interest rate cash flow hedges |  |  | 100,000,000 invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = uhs_TwoPointFiveZeroPercentForwardStartingInterestRateSwapsMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash Flow Hedging | One Point Nine Six Percent Forward Starting Interest Rate Swaps |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Notional amount of interest rate cash flow hedges |  |  | 25,000,000 invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = uhs_OnePointNineSixPercentForwardStartingInterestRateSwapsMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash Flow Hedging | One Point Three Two Percent Forward Starting Interest Rate Swaps |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Notional amount of interest rate cash flow hedges |  |  | 75,000,000 invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = uhs_OnePointThreeTwoPercentForwardStartingInterestRateSwapsMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash Flow Hedging | Two Point Three Eight Percent Forward Starting Interest Rate Swaps |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Notional amount of interest rate cash flow hedges |  |  |  | 600,000,000 invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = uhs_TwoPointThreeEightPercentForwardStartingInterestRateSwapsMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
One Month Eurodollar Rate Plus Index Based Loans | Minimum | Revolving Credit Facility |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Consolidated leverage ratio | 0.50%uhs_ConsolidatedLeverageRatio / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember / us-gaap_VariableRateAxis = uhs_OneMonthEurodollarRatePlusIndexBasedLoansMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
One Month Eurodollar Rate Plus Index Based Loans | Minimum | Term Loan A |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Consolidated leverage ratio | 0.50%uhs_ConsolidatedLeverageRatio / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = uhs_TermLoanFacilityMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember / us-gaap_VariableRateAxis = uhs_OneMonthEurodollarRatePlusIndexBasedLoansMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
One Month Eurodollar Rate Plus Index Based Loans | Maximum | Revolving Credit Facility |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Consolidated leverage ratio | 1.25%uhs_ConsolidatedLeverageRatio / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember / us-gaap_VariableRateAxis = uhs_OneMonthEurodollarRatePlusIndexBasedLoansMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
One Month Eurodollar Rate Plus Index Based Loans | Maximum | Term Loan A |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Consolidated leverage ratio | 1.25%uhs_ConsolidatedLeverageRatio / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = uhs_TermLoanFacilityMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember / us-gaap_VariableRateAxis = uhs_OneMonthEurodollarRatePlusIndexBasedLoansMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
One Two Three Six Month Eurodollar Rate Plus Index Based Loans | Minimum | Revolving Credit Facility |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Consolidated leverage ratio | 1.50%uhs_ConsolidatedLeverageRatio / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember / us-gaap_VariableRateAxis = uhs_OneTwoThreeSixMonthEurodollarRatePlusIndexBasedLoansMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
One Two Three Six Month Eurodollar Rate Plus Index Based Loans | Minimum | Term Loan A |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Consolidated leverage ratio | 1.50%uhs_ConsolidatedLeverageRatio / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = uhs_TermLoanFacilityMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember / us-gaap_VariableRateAxis = uhs_OneTwoThreeSixMonthEurodollarRatePlusIndexBasedLoansMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
One Two Three Six Month Eurodollar Rate Plus Index Based Loans | Maximum | Revolving Credit Facility |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Consolidated leverage ratio | 2.25%uhs_ConsolidatedLeverageRatio / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember / us-gaap_VariableRateAxis = uhs_OneTwoThreeSixMonthEurodollarRatePlusIndexBasedLoansMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
One Two Three Six Month Eurodollar Rate Plus Index Based Loans | Maximum | Term Loan A |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Consolidated leverage ratio | 2.25%uhs_ConsolidatedLeverageRatio / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = uhs_TermLoanFacilityMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember / us-gaap_VariableRateAxis = uhs_OneTwoThreeSixMonthEurodollarRatePlusIndexBasedLoansMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
ABR-based loans |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current applicable margins | 0.50%uhs_InterestRateMarginAdjustmentPercentage / us-gaap_VariableRateAxis = uhs_AbrBasedLoansMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Short Term on Demand Credit Facility | Revolving Credit Facility |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Line of credit facility amount outstanding | 21,000,000 us-gaap_LineOfCredit / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember / us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis = uhs_ShortTermOnDemandCreditFacilityMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Letter of Credit | Revolving Credit Facility |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Line of credit facility, borrowing capacity | 125,000,000 us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember / us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amendment of Credit Facility |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Line of credit facility, starting date |  |  |  |  |  |  | Aug. 07, 2014 |  |  |  |  |
Line of credit facility, maturity |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2019-08 |  |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable securitization program credit facility, borrowing capacity |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 360,000,000 uhs_SecuritizedBorrowingsCreditFacilityBorrowingCapacity / uhs_LineOfCreditFacilityTerminatedAgreementsAxis = uhs_AmendmentOfCreditFacilityMember |  | 275,000,000 uhs_SecuritizedBorrowingsCreditFacilityBorrowingCapacity / uhs_LineOfCreditFacilityTerminatedAgreementsAxis = uhs_AmendmentOfCreditFacilityMember |  |
Amendment of Credit Facility | Revolving Credit Facility |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Line of credit facility, borrowing capacity |  |  |  |  |  |  | 800,000,000 us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember / uhs_LineOfCreditFacilityTerminatedAgreementsAxis = uhs_AmendmentOfCreditFacilityMember |  |  |  |  |
Amendment of Credit Facility | Term Loan A |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Line of credit facility, borrowing capacity |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,775,000,000 us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = uhs_TermLoanFacilityMember / uhs_LineOfCreditFacilityTerminatedAgreementsAxis = uhs_AmendmentOfCreditFacilityMember |  |  |  |  |
Line of credit facility amount outstanding | 1,753,000,000 us-gaap_LineOfCredit / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = uhs_TermLoanFacilityMember / uhs_LineOfCreditFacilityTerminatedAgreementsAxis = uhs_AmendmentOfCreditFacilityMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable securitization program, additional capacity | 35,000,000 us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnusedBorrowingCapacityAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = uhs_AccountsReceivableSecuritizationFacilityMember |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility | Amendment of Credit Facility |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Line of credit facility, starting date |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Aug. 01, 2014 |  |  |  |
Line of credit facility, maturity |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2016-10 |  |  |  |
3.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Senior notes, issued |  |  |  |  |  | 300,000,000 us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = uhs_ThreePointSevenFiveZeroPercentSeniorSecuredNotesDueTwoThousandNineteenMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Senior notes, interest rate |  |  |  |  |  | 3.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = uhs_ThreePointSevenFiveZeroPercentSeniorSecuredNotesDueTwoThousandNineteenMember |  |  |  |  |  |
3.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 | New Senior Secured Notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Senior notes, issued |  |  |  |  |  | 300,000,000 us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = uhs_NewSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = uhs_ThreePointSevenFiveZeroPercentSeniorSecuredNotesDueTwoThousandNineteenMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Senior notes, interest rate |  |  |  |  |  | 3.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = uhs_NewSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = uhs_ThreePointSevenFiveZeroPercentSeniorSecuredNotesDueTwoThousandNineteenMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Senior notes, maturity date | Aug. 01, 2019 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
4.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Senior notes, issued |  |  |  |  |  | 300,000,000 us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = uhs_FourPointSevenFiveZeroPercentSeniorSecuredNotesDueTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Senior notes, interest rate |  |  |  |  |  | 4.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = uhs_FourPointSevenFiveZeroPercentSeniorSecuredNotesDueTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember |  |  |  |  |  |
4.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 | New Senior Secured Notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Senior notes, issued |  |  |  |  |  | 300,000,000 us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = uhs_NewSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = uhs_FourPointSevenFiveZeroPercentSeniorSecuredNotesDueTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Senior notes, interest rate |  |  |  |  |  | 4.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = uhs_NewSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = uhs_FourPointSevenFiveZeroPercentSeniorSecuredNotesDueTwoThousandTwentyTwoMember |  |  |  |  |  |
Senior notes, maturity date | Aug. 01, 2022 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Senior Notes 7.125% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Senior notes, issued |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 250,000,000 us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = uhs_SeniorNotesSevenPointOneTwoFivePercentMember
Senior notes, interest rate |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7.125%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = uhs_SeniorNotesSevenPointOneTwoFivePercentMember
Senior notes, repayment terms | Interest on the 7.125% Notes is payable semiannually in arrears on June 30th and December 30th of each year. |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Senior notes, maturity date | Jun. 30, 2016 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Line of credit facility additional borrowing capacity |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 150,000,000 uhs_LineOfCreditFacilityAdditionalBorrowingCapacity / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = uhs_SeniorNotesSevenPointOneTwoFivePercentMember |
7.00% Senior Unsecured Notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Reduction of long-term debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 250,000,000 us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = uhs_SeniorUnsecuredNotesSevenPointZeroZeroPercentMember |  |  |
Senior notes, interest rate |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = uhs_SeniorUnsecuredNotesSevenPointZeroZeroPercentMember |  |  |
Debt instrument redemption, date | Jul. 31, 2014 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Jul. 31, 2014 |  |  |
Unsecured notes make-whole redemption price |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 104.56%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = uhs_SeniorUnsecuredNotesSevenPointZeroZeroPercentMember |  |  |
Senior notes, maturity date | Oct. 01, 2018 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Write-off deferred charges, original issue discount and make-whole premiums paid |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 11,000,000 us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCostsAndDiscounts / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = uhs_SeniorUnsecuredNotesSevenPointZeroZeroPercentMember |  |  |

X
- Definition Aggregate notional amount specified by the derivative(s). Expressed as an absolute value. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 12 -Section 13 -Sentence Column B + Details
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- Definition Consolidated Leverage Ratio + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Interest Rate Margin Adjustment Percentage + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Line of Credit Facility, Additional Borrowing Capacity + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Line Of Credit Facility Expiration Year + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Line Of Credit Facility Maturity Month and Year + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Number of additional forward starting interest rate swaps. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Rate Adjustment To Federal Funds Rate Weighted Average + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Rate adjustment to one month Eurodollar rate on credit facility borrowings. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Securitized borrowings credit facility borrowing capacity. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of noncash expense included in interest expense to allocate debt discount and premium, and the costs to issue debt and obtain financing over the related debt instruments. Alternate captions include noncash interest expense. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
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- Definition Date the debt agreement requires the first payment to be made, in CCYY-MM-DD format. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 470 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823 + Details
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- Definition Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 55 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400 + Details
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- Definition Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition Amount of the required periodic payments applied to principal. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition Start date of debt instrument redemption period, in CCYY-MM-DD format. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 470 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph e -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823 + Details
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- Definition Percentage price of original principal amount of debt at which debt can be redeemed by the issuer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 470 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph e -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823 + Details
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- Definition Amount of unused borrowing capacity under the long-term financing arrangement that is available to the entity as of the balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Subparagraph b -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition Average fixed interest rate related to the group of interest rate derivatives. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Fixed interest rate related to the interest rate derivative. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Date the derivative contract matures, in CCYY-MM-DD format. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Fair value as of the balance sheet date of all interest rate derivative liabilities designated as cash flow hedging instruments. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4B -Subparagraph (c)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5624163-113959 + Details
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- Definition The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 20, 22 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 + Details
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- Definition Date the credit facility first became available, in CCYY-MM-DD format. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Disclosure of timing of required repayments, sinking fund requirements, and other redeemable securities at fixed or determinable prices and dates in the five years immediately following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements, and the amount thereafter to fully repay the principal of long-term debt. These disclosures may be made either on an individual debt or security basis, by type of debt or security basis, or on a combined basis. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21475-112644 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 470 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6802200&loc=d3e1835-112601 + Details
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- Definition Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, excluding amounts to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer (current maturities). Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition This is the principal amount outstanding for securitized loans only (across all types of loans). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 860 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=13989330&loc=d3e107314-111719 + Details
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