Name:	biib_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterFiveYearsAmortizedCost
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This item represents the fair value of debt securities, which are expected to mature after five years from the balance sheet date and which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	biib_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Amortized cost of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27161-111563

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Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAbstract
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Amortized cost of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), with single maturity date and allocated without single maturity date, maturing in second through fifth fiscal year following latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim period is reported on rolling approach, from latest statement of financial position date.

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Fair value of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), with single maturity date and allocated without single maturity date, maturing in second through fifth fiscal year following latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim period is reported on rolling approach, from latest statement of financial position date.

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-Publisher FASB
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Amortized cost of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), with single maturity date and allocated without single maturity date, maturing in next fiscal year following latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim period is reported on rolling approach, from latest statement of financial position date.

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Fair value of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), maturing in next fiscal year following latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim period is reported on rolling approach, from latest statement of financial position date.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Amount of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
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-Section 45
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