v3.8.0.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017
Oct. 31, 2017
Document Information [Line Items]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2017  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2017  
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  
Class A    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   6,595,308
Class B    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   87,631,729
Class C    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   663,940
Class D    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   20,868