Note 10. Share-based Compensation: Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number	728,669	758,714
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 9.38	$ 9.71
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period	(26,378)
Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award OptionsExpirationsInPeriod Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 18.91
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member \| Stock Options
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Forfeited	(3,667)
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 9.09
American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number	317,288	333,956
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 10.40	$ 10.43
American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member \| Stock Options
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Forfeited	(16,668)
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 11.10

Number of options or other stock instruments for which the right to exercise has lapsed under the terms of the plan agreements.

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The number of shares reserved for issuance under stock option agreements awarded under the plan that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including vested options.

+ References

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Weighted average price at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance under the stock option plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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