EARNINGS/(LOSS) PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Earnings/(Loss)Per Share [Abstract]
Net Earnings/(Loss)Attributable to BMS	$ (711)	$ 969	$ 1,035	$ 2,857
Earnings attributable to unvested restricted shares		(2)	(1)	(6)
Net Earnings Attributable to BMS common shareholders	$ (711)	$ 967	$ 1,034	$ 2,851
Earnings/(Loss)per share - basic	$ (0.43)	$ 0.57	$ 0.62	$ 1.67
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic	1,666	1,698	1,679	1,703
Contingently convertible debt common stock equivalents		1	1	1
Incremental shares attributable to share-based compensation plans		16	17	13
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted	1,666	1,715	1,697	1,717
Earnings/(Loss)per share - diluted	$ (0.43)	$ 0.56	$ 0.61	$ 1.66
Anti-dilutive weighted-average equivalent shares - stock incentive plans		11	2	28
Contingently convertible debt common stock equivalents and incremental shares attributable to share-based compensation plans excluded from the per share calculation	17