The amount of net income or loss for the period per each share in instances when basic and diluted earnings per share are the same amount and reported as a single line item on the face of the financial statements. Basic earnings per share is the amount of net income or loss for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share includes the amount of net income or loss for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (UNAUDITED) - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Understatement to the benefit from income taxes									$ (10)	$ (4,145)	$ (27)
Net loss attributable to Bausch Health Companies Inc.	$ 344	$ 350	$ 873	$ 2,581	$ (513)	$ (1,301)	$ 38	$ (628)	$ 4,148	$ (2,404)	$ 2,409
Error In Forecasted Effective Tax Rate
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Understatement to the benefit from income taxes				112
Net loss attributable to Bausch Health Companies Inc.				$ 112
Earnings per share, basic and diluted (in dollars per share)				$ 0.32