Document and Entity Information (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 09, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	Independence Holding Company
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000701869
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		18,009,664
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Public Float			$ 70,618