Note 16. Share-based Compensation: Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number	693,836	758,714
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 9.36	$ 9.71
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period	(61,211)
Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award OptionsExpirationsInPeriod Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 13.73
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	227,285	333,956
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 11.40	$ 10.43
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period	(90,003)
Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award OptionsExpirationsInPeriod Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 7.87
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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