EQUITY (Changes in Equity) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Equity [Abstract]
Common Stock, Shares Issued, Balance at January 1,	2,208,000,000	2,205,000,000	2,205,000,000
Common Stock, Shares Issued, Balance at March 31,	2,208,000,000	2,206,000,000	2,208,000,000
Common Stock, Value, Issued, Balance at January 1,	$ 221	$ 220	$ 220
Common Stock, Value, Issued, Balance at March 31,	221	221	221
Capital in Excess of Par Value of Stock, Balance at January 1,	2,694	3,114	3,114
Employee stock compensation plans, Capital in Excess of Par Value of Stock	(568)	(289)
Capital in Excess of Par Value of Stock, Balance at March 31,	2,126	2,825	2,694
Retained Earnings, Balance at January 1,	32,733	33,069	33,069
Net earnings attributable to BMS	609	1,101
Cash dividends declared	(581)	(575)
Retained Earnings, Balance at March 31,	32,761	33,595	32,733
Treasury Stock, Shares, Balance at January 1,	570,000,000	515,000,000	515,000,000
Stock repurchase program, Treasury Stock	8,000,000	10,000,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, Balance at March 31,	565,000,000	517,000,000	570,000,000
Cost of Treasury Stock, Balance at January 1,	(18,823)	(17,402)	(17,402)
Stock repurchase program, Cost of Treasury Stock	(298)	(323)
Cost of Treasury Stock, Balance at March 31,	(18,318)	(17,286)	(18,823)
Noncontrolling interest, Balance at January 1,	15	(89)	(89)
Distributions	(1)	(609)
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	26	607
Noncontrolling interest, Balance at March 31,	40	(91)	15
The increase in authorization of common stock repurchases			3,000
Stock repurchase program, Authorized amount			3,000
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest, tax	12	229
Common Stock [Member]
Equity [Line Items]
Employee stock compensation plans, Cost		1
Employee stock compensation plans, Shares		1,000,000
Treasury Stock [Member]
Equity [Line Items]
Employee stock compensation plans, Cost	$ 803	$ 439
Employee stock compensation plans, Shares	(13,000,000)	(8,000,000)