EQUITY (Changes in Equity) (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common Stock, Value, Issued, Balance at January 1,	$ 221
Common Stock, Value, Issued, Balance at March 31,	221
Capital in Excess of Par Value of Stock, Balance at January 1,	1,725
Capital in Excess of Par Value of Stock, Balance at March 31,	1,337
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss,, Balance at January 1,	(2,503)
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)	89	$ (225)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss,, Balance at March 31,	(2,414)
Retained Earnings, Balance at January 1,	33,513
Net Earnings Attributable to BMS	1,574	$ 1,195
Retained Earnings, Balance at March 31,	33,658
Cost of Treasury Stock, Balance at January 1,	(16,779)
Cost of Treasury Stock, Balance at March 31,	(18,386)
Noncontrolling interest, Balance at January 1,	170
Noncontrolling interest, Balance at March 31,	$ 119
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 March 31,	2,208	2,208
Common Stock, Value, Issued, Balance at January 1,	$ 221	$ 221
Common Stock, Value, Issued, Balance at March 31,	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,	1,725	1,459
Stock repurchase plan, Cost	(400)
Employee stock compensation plans, Capital in Excess of Par	12	44
Capital in Excess of Par Value of Stock, Balance at March 31,	1,337	1,503
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss,, Balance at January 1,	(2,503)	(2,468)
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)	89	(225)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss,, Balance at March 31,	(2,414)	(2,693)
Retained Earnings [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Retained Earnings, Balance at January 1,	33,513	31,613
Accounting change - cumulative effect	(787)
Retained Earnings, Adjusted balance at January 1, 2017	32,726
Net Earnings Attributable to BMS	1,574	1,195
Cash dividends declared	(642)	(632)
Retained Earnings, Balance at March 31,	$ 33,658	$ 32,176
Treasury Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Balance at January 1,	536	539
Stock repurchase program, Shares	29	4
Employee stock compensation plans, Shares	(4)	(4)
Treasury Stock, Shares, Balance at March 31,	561	539
Cost of Treasury Stock, Balance at January 1,	$ (16,779)	$ (16,559)
Stock repurchase program, Cost	(1,600)	(231)
Employee stock compensation plans, Cost	(7)	(31)
Cost of Treasury Stock, Balance at March 31,	(18,386)	(16,821)
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, Balance at January 1,	170	158
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	11	11
Variable Interest Entity	(59)
Distributions	(3)	(4)
Noncontrolling interest, Balance at March 31,	119	$ 165
2017 ASR [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	$ 2,000
Accelerated Share Repurchases, Initial Shares	29
Percentage Of Initial Delivery Of Shares Under Accelerated Share Repurchases	80.00%