EQUITY (Changes in Equity) (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common Stock, Value, Issued, Balance at January 1,			$ 221
Common Stock, Value, Issued, Balance at June 30,	$ 221		221
Capital in Excess of Par Value of Stock, Balance at January 1,			1,459
Capital in Excess of Par Value of Stock, Balance at June 30,	1,594		1,594
Retained Earnings, Balance at January 1,			31,613
Net Earnings Attributable to BMS	1,166	$ (130)	2,361	$ 1,056
Retained Earnings, Balance at June 30,	$ 32,706		$ 32,706
Treasury Stock, Shares, Balance at January 1,			539
Treasury Stock, Shares, Balance at June 30,	537		537
Cost of Treasury Stock, Balance at January 1,			$ (16,559)
Cost of Treasury Stock, Balance at June 30,	$ (16,799)		(16,799)
Noncontrolling interest, Balance at January 1,			158
Noncontrolling interest, Balance at June 30,	$ 160		$ 160
Common Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common Stock, Shares Issued, Balance at January 1,			2,208	2,208
Common Stock, Shares Issued, Balance at June 30,	2,208	2,208	2,208	2,208
Common Stock, Value, Issued, Balance at January 1,			$ 221	$ 221
Common Stock, Value, Issued, Balance at June 30,	$ 221	$ 221	221	221
Capital in Excess of Par Value of Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Capital in Excess of Par Value of Stock, Balance at January 1,			1,459	1,507
Employee stock compensation plans, Capital in Excess of Par			135	(144)
Capital in Excess of Par Value of Stock, Balance at June 30,	1,594	1,363	1,594	1,363
Retained Earnings [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Retained Earnings, Balance at January 1,			31,613	32,541
Net Earnings Attributable to BMS			2,361	1,056
Cash dividends declared			(1,268)	(1,236)
Retained Earnings, Balance at June 30,	$ 32,706	$ 32,361	$ 32,706	$ 32,361
Treasury Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Balance at January 1,			539	547
Stock repurchase program, Shares			4
Employee stock compensation plans, Shares			(6)	(6)
Treasury Stock, Shares, Balance at June 30,	537	541	537	541
Cost of Treasury Stock, Balance at January 1,			$ (16,559)	$ (16,992)
Stock repurchase plan, Cost			(231)
Employee stock compensation plans, Cost			(9)	341
Debt conversion, Cost				2
Cost of Treasury Stock, Balance at June 30,	$ (16,799)	$ (16,649)	(16,799)	(16,649)
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, Balance at January 1,			158	131
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest			33	43
Distributions			(31)	(6)
Noncontrolling interest, Balance at June 30,	$ 160	$ 168	$ 160	$ 168