Note 13. Share-based Compensation: Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity (Details) - Employee Stock Option - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number	614,680
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 9.33
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	30,600
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 Outstanding Number	584,080
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 9.35
American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number	166,616
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 10.50
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	8,890	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 5.81
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number	71,558
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 8.88
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period	26,001
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 8.90
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period	60,167
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 13.82

Number of options or other stock instruments for which the right to exercise has lapsed under the terms of the plan agreements.

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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.

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