Note 10. Share-based Compensation: Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity (Details) (Employee Stock Option, USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number	616,858
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 9.33	$ 9.35
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	$ 14.75
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number	614,680
American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number	222,285
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 10.50	$ 11.46
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period	62,336
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 14.58
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number	166,616
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	13,334
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 10.80
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	6,667
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 4.87