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, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	$ 90	$ 72	$ 195	$ 72
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax	181	109	389	108
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	271	181	584	180
Employee Stock Option | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	188	35	369	69
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	44	27	90	58
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 39	$ 119	$ 125	$ 53