EQUITY (Changes in Equity) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common Stock, Shares Issued, Balance at January 1,			2,208	2,208
Common Stock, Shares Issued, Balance at September 30,	2,208	2,208	2,208	2,208
Common Stock, Value, Issued, Balance at January 1,			$ 221	$ 221
Common Stock, Value, Issued, Balance at September 30,	221	221	221	221
Capital in Excess of Par Value of Stock, Balance at January 1,			1,922	2,694
Employee stock compensation plans, Capital in Excess of Par			(407)	(728)
Debt Conversion, Capital in Excess of Par Value of Stock			(16)
Capital in Excess of Par Value of Stock, Balance at September 30,	1,499	1,966	1,499	1,966
Retained Earnings, Balance at January 1,			32,952	32,733
Net Earnings Attributable to BMS	721	692	1,991	1,837
Cash dividends declared			(1,796)	(1,744)
Retained Earnings, Balance at September 30,	33,147	32,826	33,147	32,826
Treasury Stock, Shares, Balance at January 1,			559	570
Treasury Stock, Shares, Balance at September 30,	549	561	549	561
Cost of Treasury Stock, Balance at January 1,			(17,800)	(18,823)
Cost of Treasury Stock, Balance at September 30,	(17,119)	(17,975)	(17,119)	(17,975)
Noncontrolling interest, Balance at January 1,			82	15
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest			11	19
Distributions			(35)	(46)
Noncontrolling interest, Balance at September 30,	58	(12)	58	(12)
Treasury Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock repurchase program, Treasury Stock				11
Employee stock compensation plans, Shares			(9)	(20)
Debt conversion, Shares			(1)
Stock repurchase program, Cost of Treasury Stock				(413)
Employee stock compensation plans, Cost			646	1,261
Debt conversion, cost			$ 35