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		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	$ 91	$ (2)	$ 271	$ 17
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax	139	(3)	410	25
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	230	(5)	681	42
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	21	23	44	44
Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member | Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	209	(28)	467	(57)
American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	4	4	7	8
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax	7	7	14	14
American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	11	11	21	22
American Independence Corp Share Based Plans Total Member | Employee Stock Option | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 11	$ 11	$ 21	$ 22