Note 8. Share-based Compensation: Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number	620,158		693,836
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 9.35		$ 9.36
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	(44,000)
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 9.09
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period	(27,500)
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 9.99
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period	(2,178)
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 10.47
American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number	222,285		227,285
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 11.46		$ 11.40
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period	(18,334)
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 7.50
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	13,334	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 7.01

Number of options or other stock instruments for which the right to exercise has lapsed under the terms of the plan agreements.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(1)(iv)(4)

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The number of shares under options that were cancelled during the reporting period as a result of occurrence of a terminating event specified in contractual agreements pertaining to the stock option plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Gross number of share options (or share units) granted during the period.

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Number of options outstanding, including both vested and non-vested options.

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Weighted average price at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance under the stock option plan.

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Weighted average price at which option holders acquired shares when converting their stock options into shares.

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Weighted average price at which grantees could have acquired the underlying shares with respect to stock options of the plan that expired.

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Weighted average per share amount at which grantees can acquire shares of common stock by exercise of options.

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Number of share options (or share units) exercised during the current period.

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