ALLIANCES (Pfizer) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Percentage of third-party product sales recognized when BMS is the principal in the end customer sale	100.00%								100.00%
Net product sales									$ 17,702	$ 14,045	$ 11,660
Alliance revenues									1,725	2,515	4,219
Total Revenues	$ 5,243	$ 4,922	$ 4,871	$ 4,391	$ 4,287	$ 4,069	$ 4,163	$ 4,041	19,427	16,560	15,879
Receivables - from alliance partners	903				958				903	958
Amortization of deferred income									244	307	362
Upfront payments for licensing and alliance arrangements									15	619	70
Deferred income - Cash flow									(64)	218	613
Eliquis [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Total Revenues									3,343	1,860	774
Alliance Partners [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Net product sales									5,568	4,308	3,531
Alliance revenues									1,629	2,408	3,828
Total Revenues									7,197	6,716	7,359
Payments to/(from) alliance partner - Cost of products sold									2,129	1,655	1,394
Payments to/(from) alliance partner - Marketing, selling and administrative									(28)	15	134
Payments to/(from) alliance partner - Research and development									56	693	8
Payments to/(from) alliance partners - Other (income)/expense									(1,009)	(733)	(1,076)
Noncontrolling interest, pre-tax									16	51	38
Receivables - from alliance partners	903				958				903	958
Accounts payable - to alliance partners	555				542				555	542
Deferred income	1,194				1,459				1,194	1,459
Pfizer [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Net product sales									3,306	1,849	771
Alliance revenues									37	11	3
Total Revenues									3,343	1,860	774
Deferred income	$ 521				$ 576				521	576
Cost of products sold - Profit sharing									1,595	895	363
Other (income)/expense - Amortization of deferred income									$ (55)	(55)	(50)
Deferred income - Cash flow										$ 20	$ 100
Pfizer [Member] | Eliquis [Member]
Alliances Statement [Line Items]
Minimum percentage of reimbursement for development costs from alliance partner	50.00%								50.00%
Maximum percentage of reimbursement for development costs from alliance partner	60.00%								60.00%
Total upfront, milestone and other licensing payments received to date	$ 884								$ 884