Note 12. Share-based Compensation: Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity (Details) (Employee Stock Option, USD $)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number	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	47,300
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
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number	616,858	693,836
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	0	0	0
American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number	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, Exercises in Period	0	0	13,611
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 Outstanding Number	222,285	227,285
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

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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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

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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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