Note 16. Share-based Compensation: Sharebased Compensation Plans (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member
Policies
Sharebased Compensation Plans	In June 2003, the stockholders approved the Independence Holding Company 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2003 Plan") under which, 693,000 shares of common stock were reserved for options and other common stock awards. The final option grants under the 2003 Plan were made during 2006. In June 2006, the stockholders approved the Independence Holding Company 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan") under which, 1,430,000 shares of common stock were reserved for options and other common stock awards. Under the terms of IHC’s stock-based compensation plans, option exercise prices are more than or equal to the quoted market price of the shares at the date of grant; option terms range from five to ten years; and vesting periods are three years for employee options. The Company may also grant shares of restricted stock, share appreciation rights (“SARs”) and share-based performance awards. Restricted shares are valued at the quoted market price of the shares at the date of grant and have a three year vesting period. Exercise prices of SARs are more than or equal to the quoted market price of IHC shares at the date of the grant and have three year vesting periods.
American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member
Policies
Sharebased Compensation Plans	Effective July 1, 2009, AMIC implemented the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (“AMIC 2009 Plan”), which the AMIC stockholders approved on June 19, 2009. The AMIC 2009 Plan provided for the grants of non-statutory and incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, performance shares, and other awards to officers, employee and other individuals. Under the terms of the AMIC 2009 Plan, stock options have a maximum term of ten years from the date of grant, and have various vesting criteria depending on the grant with most grants vesting ratably over four years. AMIC’s 1998 Plan, which expired by its terms on October 7, 2008, had reserved for issuance a total of 7,154,198 common stock shares. At December 31, 2012, stock options for 227,285 common stock shares were outstanding, stock options for 215,062 common stock shares were vested, and 6,517,221 common stock shares that had not been issued remained available for future stock options grants and other awards. Awards made under AMIC’s 1998 Plan prior to its expiration are still in effect.

Note 16. Share-based Compensation: Sharebased Compensation Plans (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member

In June 2003, the stockholders approved the Independence Holding Company 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2003 Plan") under which, 693,000 shares of common stock were reserved for options and other common stock awards. The final option grants under the 2003 Plan were made during 2006.

In June 2006, the stockholders approved the Independence Holding Company 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan") under which, 1,430,000 shares of common stock were reserved for options and other common stock awards.

Under the terms of IHC’s stock-based compensation plans, option exercise prices are more than or equal to the quoted market price of the shares at the date of grant; option terms range from five to ten years; and vesting periods are three years for employee options. The Company may also grant shares of restricted stock, share appreciation rights (“SARs”) and share-based performance awards. Restricted shares are valued at the quoted market price of the shares at the date of grant and have a three year vesting period. Exercise prices of SARs are more than or equal to the quoted market price of IHC shares at the date of the grant and have three year vesting periods.

American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member

Policies

Sharebased Compensation Plans

Effective July 1, 2009, AMIC implemented the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (“AMIC 2009 Plan”), which the AMIC stockholders approved on June 19, 2009. The AMIC 2009 Plan provided for the grants of non-statutory and incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, performance shares, and other awards to officers, employee and other individuals. Under the terms of the AMIC 2009 Plan, stock options have a maximum term of ten years from the date of grant, and have various vesting criteria depending on the grant with most grants vesting ratably over four years. AMIC’s 1998 Plan, which expired by its terms on October 7, 2008, had reserved for issuance a total of 7,154,198 common stock shares. At December 31, 2012, stock options for 227,285 common stock shares were outstanding, stock options for 215,062 common stock shares were vested, and 6,517,221 common stock shares that had not been issued remained available for future stock options grants and other awards. Awards made under AMIC’s 1998 Plan prior to its expiration are still in effect.

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for stock option and stock incentive plans. This disclosure may include (1) the types of stock option or incentive plans sponsored by the entity (2) the groups that participate in (or are covered by) each plan (3) significant plan provisions and (4) how stock compensation is measured, and the methodologies and significant assumptions used to determine that measurement.

+ References+ Details