v2.4.0.6
Document and Entity Information
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Apr. 30, 2013
Class A
Apr. 30, 2013
Class B
Apr. 30, 2013
Class C
Apr. 30, 2013
Class D
Document Information [Line Items]          
Document Type 10-Q        
Amendment Flag false        
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2013        
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2013        
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1        
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 Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   6,595,708 90,724,692 664,000 31,870