GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2015
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 6,881	$ 7,027
Total other intangible assets, gross	4,353	4,982
Other intangible assets accumulated amortization	(2,934)	(3,229)
Other intangible assets	1,419	1,753
Amortization of intangible assets	183	286	$ 858
Impairment of other intangible assets	181	380
Licenses derecognized as a result of a transfer, gross				$ 500
Licenses derecognized as a result of a transfer, net				$ 126
Future estimated amortization, 2016	200
Future estimated amortization, 2017	170
Future estimated amortization, 2018	150
Future estimated amortization, 2019	130
Future estimated amortization, 2020	100
Licenses [Member]
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	574	1,090
Developed technology rights [Member]
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	2,357	2,358
Capitalized Software [Member]
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	1,302	1,254
In-process research and development [Member]
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets acquired	120	280
BMS-986020 [Member]
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets	$ 160
Peginterferon lambda [Member]
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets		$ 310
Minimum [Member] | Licenses [Member]
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of intangible asset	5 years
Minimum [Member] | Developed technology rights [Member]
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of intangible asset	9 years
Minimum [Member] | Capitalized Software [Member]
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of intangible asset	3 years
Maximum [Member] | Licenses [Member]
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of intangible asset	15 years
Maximum [Member] | Developed technology rights [Member]
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of intangible asset	15 years
Maximum [Member] | Capitalized Software [Member]
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of intangible asset	10 years