INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 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	17,932,954	18,052,660
Treasury Stock, shares	529,038	398,257