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, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	$ 86	$ 145	$ 281	$ 218
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax	235	219	624	328
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	321	364	905	546
Employee Stock Option | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	189	36	558	106
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	39	23	129	81
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 93	$ 305	$ 218	$ 359