GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 6,863	$ 6,875
Total other intangible assets, gross	4,337	4,469
Other intangible assets accumulated amortization	(3,127)	(3,084)
Other intangible assets	1,210	1,385
Amortization of intangible assets	190	178	$ 183
Impairment of other intangible assets	80	33	181
Future estimated amortization, 2018	220
Future estimated amortization, 2019	200
Future estimated amortization, 2020	160
Future estimated amortization, 2021	130
Future estimated amortization, 2022	100
Licenses [Member]
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	567	564
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	1,381	1,441
In-process research and development [Member]
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	32	$ 107
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets	$ 75
BMS-986020 [Member]
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets			$ 160
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