Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income:
Investment loss, net of expenses		$ 878,991	$ 663,968
Net realized loss on investments		31,504	(117,364)
Loss on equity method investment		(420,720)	(357,437)
Miscellaneous income		107,015	171,571
Revenues		4,114,248	3,785,115
Expenses:
Income tax expense
Loss before equity in loss of consolidated subsidiaries		(3,847,922)	(2,518,029)
Bargain purchase gain for business acquisition	$ (904,578)	1,326,526	904,578
Comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments arising during period		(212,574)	(737,832)
Less: reclassification adjustment for net realized (losses) gains on investments		(31,504)	117,364
Other comprehensive loss		(244,078)	(620,468)
Total comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Midwest Holding Inc.		(244,078)	(620,468)
Parent Company [Member]
Income:
Investment loss, net of expenses		(5,635)	(5,826)
Net realized loss on investments		(117,500)
Loss on equity method investment		(420,720)	(357,437)
Miscellaneous income		515,667	536,997
Revenues		(28,188)	173,734
Expenses:
General		2,054,032	1,562,147
Loss before income tax expense		(2,082,220)	(1,388,413)
Income tax expense
Loss before equity in loss of consolidated subsidiaries		(2,082,220)	(1,388,413)
Equity in loss of consolidated subsidiaries		(3,092,228)	(2,034,194)
Bargain purchase gain for business acquisition		1,326,526	904,578
Net loss attributable to Midwest Holding Inc.		(3,847,922)	(2,518,029)
Comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments arising during period		(212,574)	(737,832)
Less: reclassification adjustment for net realized (losses) gains on investments		(31,504)	81,504
Other comprehensive loss		(244,078)	(620,468)
Total comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Midwest Holding Inc.		$ (4,092,000)	$ (3,138,497)