Document and Entity Information (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Aug. 02, 2013
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	Independence Holding Company
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2013
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000701869
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		17,667,526
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Public Float	$ 91,051