Note 12. Share-based Compensation: Schedule of Compensation Cost for Share-based Payment Arrangements, Allocation of Share-based Compensation Costs by Plan (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 959	$ 799	$ 573
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	382	319	228
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax	577	480	345
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member | Employee Stock Option
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	210	237	292
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	66	45	27
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member | Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	698	428	209
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member | Performance Shares
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	(15)	89	45
American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	42	33	43
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	15	11	15
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax	27	22	28
American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member | Employee Stock Option
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	42	33	36
American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense			$ 7