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		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	$ 145	$ 16	$ 218	$ 255
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax	219	(25)	328	385
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	364	(41)	546	640
Employee Stock Option | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	36	0	106	170
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	23	16	81	60
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 305	$ (57)	$ 359	$ 410