Note 11. Share-based Compensation: Schedule of Compensation Cost for Share-based Payment Arrangements, Allocation of Share-based Compensation Costs by Plan (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	$ (2)	$ 260	$ 17	$ 262
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax	(3)	392	25	394
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	(5)	652	42	656
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member | Employee Stock Option | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense		471	55	537
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	23	23	44	42
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member | Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	(28)	158	(57)	77
American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	4	5	8	10
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax	7	11	14	17
American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	11	16	22	27
American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member | Employee Stock Option | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 11	$ 16	$ 22	$ 27