EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net earnings attributable to BMS used for Basic and Diluted EPS Calculation	$ 1,901	$ 845	$ 3,760	$ 3,335
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic	1,632	1,639	1,633	1,648
Incremental shares attributable to share-based compensation plans	4	6	4	7
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted	1,636	1,645	1,637	1,655
Earnings per share - basic	$ 1.16	$ 0.52	$ 2.30	$ 2.02
Earnings per share - diluted	$ 1.16	$ 0.51	$ 2.30	$ 2.02