v3.19.2
Document and Entity Information - shares
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2019
Jul. 31, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]    
Document Type 10-Q  
Amendment Flag false  
Document Period End Date Jun. 30, 2019  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2019  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q2  
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   81,231,518
Class C    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   661,688
Class D    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   18,557