EQUITY (Changes in Equity) (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount	$ 1,100		$ 1,100
Stock repurchase program, October 2016 authorized amount	3,000		3,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common Stock, Value, Issued, Balance at January 1,			221
Common Stock, Value, Issued, Balance at September 30,	221		221
Capital in Excess of Par Value of Stock, Balance at January 1,			1,459
Capital in Excess of Par Value of Stock, Balance at September 30,	1,650		1,650
Retained Earnings, Balance at January 1,			31,613
Net Earnings Attributable to BMS	1,202	$ 706	3,563	$ 1,762
Retained Earnings, Balance at September 30,	$ 33,272		$ 33,272
Treasury Stock, Shares, Balance at January 1,			539
Treasury Stock, Shares, Balance at September 30,	537		537
Cost of Treasury Stock, Balance at January 1,			$ (16,559)
Cost of Treasury Stock, Balance at September 30,	$ (16,795)		(16,795)
Noncontrolling interest, Balance at January 1,			158
Noncontrolling interest, Balance at September 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 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 [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Capital in Excess of Par Value of Stock, Balance at January 1,			1,459	1,507
Employee stock compensation plans, Capital in Excess of Par			191	(94)
Capital in Excess of Par Value of Stock, Balance at September 30,	1,650	1,413	1,650	1,413
Retained Earnings [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Retained Earnings, Balance at January 1,			31,613	32,541
Net Earnings Attributable to BMS			3,563	1,762
Cash dividends declared			(1,904)	(1,857)
Retained Earnings, Balance at September 30,	$ 33,272	$ 32,446	$ 33,272	$ 32,446
Treasury Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Balance at January 1,			539	547
Stock repurchase program, Shares			4
Employee stock compensation plans, Shares			(6)	(7)
Treasury Stock, Shares, Balance at September 30,	537	540	537	540
Cost of Treasury Stock, Balance at January 1,			$ (16,559)	$ (16,992)
Stock repurchase plan, Cost			(231)
Employee stock compensation plans, Cost			(5)	384
Debt conversion, Cost				2
Cost of Treasury Stock, Balance at September 30,	$ (16,795)	$ (16,606)	(16,795)	(16,606)
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, Balance at January 1,			158	131
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest			46	73
Distributions			(36)	(10)
Noncontrolling interest, Balance at September 30,	$ 168	$ 194	$ 168	$ 194