Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]: Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity (Details) - Independence Holding Company Share Based Plans Total Member - Employee Stock Option - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2015
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number	697,180
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 11.75
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	199,000	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 26.72
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	203,800
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 9.82
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number	692,380
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 16.62