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Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Mar. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2014
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent [Abstract]        
Unrecognized Tax Benefits $ 1,056us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits     $ 1,047us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate 905us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate     903us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate
Reported tax rate 97.50%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations 8.90%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations    
Gross interest and penalties recognized in period 16bsx_GrossInterestAndPenaltiesRecognizedInPeriod      
Net tax expense/benefits related to interest and penalties 11bsx_Nettaxexpensebenefitsrelatedtointerestandpenalties 9bsx_Nettaxexpensebenefitsrelatedtointerestandpenalties    
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued, Total 459us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued     443us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued
Subsequent Event [Member]        
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent [Abstract]        
Potential Reduction In Unrecognized Tax Benefits Over Next Twelve Months As Result Of Concluding Certain Matters     $ 10bsx_PotentialReductionInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsOverNextTwelveMonthsAsResultOfConcludingCertainMatters
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember