Note 12. 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
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	$ 180	$ 19
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax	271	28
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	451	47
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member | Employee Stock Option | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	170	55
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	23	21
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member | Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	258	(29)
American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	4	4
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax	7	7
American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	11	11
American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member | Employee Stock Option | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 11	$ 11