INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (September 30, 2012 Unaudited) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Common Stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common Stock, shares authorized	23,000,000	20,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued	18,461,992	18,450,917
Common Stock, shares outstanding	17,947,330	18,052,660
Treasury Stock, shares	514,662	398,257

Face amount or stated value of common stock per share; generally not indicative of the fair market value per share.

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The maximum number of common shares permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws.

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Total number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury.

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Number of shares of common stock outstanding. Common stock represent the ownership interest in a corporation.

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Number of common and preferred shares that were previously issued and that were repurchased by the issuing entity and held in treasury on the financial statement date. This stock has no voting rights and receives no dividends.

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