Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]: Schedule of Compensation Cost for Share-based Payment Arrangements, Allocation of Share-based Compensation Costs by Plan (Details) - Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	$ 72	$ 91	$ 72	$ 271
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax	109	139	108	410
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	181	230	180	681
Employee Stock Option | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	35	0	69	170
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	27	21	58	44
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 119	$ 209	$ 53	$ 467