EQUITY (Changes in Equity) (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common Stock, Value, Issued, Balance at January 1,			$ 221
Common Stock, Value, Issued, Balance at June 30,	$ 221		221
Capital in Excess of Par Value of Stock, Balance at January 1,			1,507
Capital in Excess of Par Value of Stock, Balance at June 30,	1,363		1,363
Retained Earnings, Balance at January 1,			32,541
Net Earnings Attributable to BMS	(130)	$ 333	1,056	$ 1,270
Retained Earnings, Balance at June 30,	$ 32,361		$ 32,361
Treasury Stock, Shares, Balance at January 1,			547
Treasury Stock, Shares, Balance at June 30,	541		541
Cost of Treasury Stock, Balance at January 1,			$ (16,992)
Cost of Treasury Stock, Balance at June 30,	$ (16,649)		(16,649)
Noncontrolling interest, Balance at January 1,			131
Noncontrolling interest, Balance at June 30,	$ 168		$ 168
Common Stock [Member]
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 June 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 June 30,	$ 221	$ 221	221	221
Capital in Excess of Par Value of Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Capital in Excess of Par Value of Stock, Balance at January 1,			1,507	1,922
Employee stock compensation plans, Capital in Excess of Par			(144)	(427)
Debt Conversion, Capital in Excess of Par Value of Stock				(16)
Capital in Excess of Par Value of Stock, Balance at June 30,	1,363	1,479	1,363	1,479
Retained Earnings [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Retained Earnings, Balance at January 1,			32,541	32,952
Net Earnings Attributable to BMS			1,056	1,270
Cash dividends declared			(1,236)	(1,196)
Retained Earnings, Balance at June 30,	$ 32,361	$ 33,026	$ 32,361	$ 33,026
Treasury Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Balance at January 1,			547	559
Employee stock compensation plans, Shares			(6)	(8)
Debt conversion, Shares				(1)
Treasury Stock, Shares, Balance at June 30,	541	550	541	550
Cost of Treasury Stock, Balance at January 1,			$ (16,992)	$ (17,800)
Employee stock compensation plans, Cost			341	591
Debt conversion, cost			2	35
Cost of Treasury Stock, Balance at June 30,	$ (16,649)	$ (17,174)	(16,649)	(17,174)
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, Balance at January 1,			131	82
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest			43	1
Distributions			(6)	(31)
Noncontrolling interest, Balance at June 30,	$ 168	$ 52	$ 168	$ 52