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	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	$ 316	$ 279	$ 63
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax	478	420	94
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	794	699	157
Employee Stock Option | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	224	181	55
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	116	83	89
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 454	$ 435	$ 13