Note 13. Share-based Compensation: Schedule of Compensation Cost for Share-based Payment Arrangements, Allocation of Share-based Compensation Costs by Plan (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	$ 63	$ 306	$ 382
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax	94	462	577
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	157	768	959
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member | Employee Stock Option | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	55	669	210
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	89	85	66
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member | Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	13	14	698
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member | Performance Shares | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense			(15)
American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	15	18	15
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax	28	34	27
American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	43	52	42
American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member | Employee Stock Option | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 43	$ 52	$ 42