Note 2(A). American Independence Corp. (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended		2 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended			2 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2011 AMICSubsidiariesMember		Jan. 31, 2011 AMICSubsidiariesMember	Mar. 31, 2011 AMICSubsidiariesMember		Dec. 31, 2011 AMICSubsidiariesMember	Mar. 31, 2011 AMICSubsidiariesMember	Dec. 31, 2012 AMICSubsidiariesMember	Dec. 31, 2010 AMICSubsidiariesMember	Jan. 31, 2013 AMICSubsidiariesMember Subsequent Event	Dec. 31, 2011 IPASubsidiariesMember
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent														78.60%
Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Cumulative Percentage Ownership after All Transactions							76.00%					78.40%	63.00%	78.60%		80.60%	89.60%
Noncontrolling Interest Shares Purchased Sold									200,000			15,981		12,624	9,537
Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests					$ 58	$ 1,587			$ 1,000					$ 58	$ 58		$ 525
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Changes, Purchase of Interest by Parent							196						95	29			1,043
ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestChangesRepurchaseOfSharesBySubsidiary												251,370
Noncontrolling Interest Shares Purchased Sold Noncash Transaction							1,109,225	[1]		900,325	[2]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Issued for Noncash Consideration	762,551	[3]	660,240	[4]
Acquire noncontrolling interests																	$ 1,568

[1] Acquired shares in exchange for IHC shares.

[2] Shares acquired in exchange for IHC shares.

[3] Shares were isssued in exchange for AMIC shares.

[4] Shares issued in exchange for AMIC shares.