Note 8. Share-based Compensation: Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity (Details) (Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member, Restricted Stock, USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member | Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	14,850		13,200
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 10.60		$ 9.37
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	7,425	7,425
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 11.66	$ 9.39
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	(5,775)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 9.15