GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 6,875	$ 6,881
Total other intangible assets, gross	4,469	4,353
Other intangible assets accumulated amortization	(3,084)	(2,934)
Other intangible assets	1,385	1,419
Amortization of intangible assets	178	183	$ 286
Impairment of other intangible assets	33	181	380
Future estimated amortization, 2017	220
Future estimated amortization, 2018	200
Future estimated amortization, 2019	170
Future estimated amortization, 2020	130
Future estimated amortization, 2021	100
Licenses [Member]
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	564	574
Developed technology rights [Member]
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	2,357	2,357
Capitalized Software [Member]
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	1,441	1,302
In-process research and development [Member]
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets acquired	$ 107	120
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