Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018	Mar. 08, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Details
Registrant Name	INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY
Registrant CIK	0000701869
SEC Form	10-K
Period End date	Dec. 31, 2018
Fiscal Year End	--12-31
Trading Symbol	IHC
Tax Identification Number (TIN)	581407235
Number of common stock shares outstanding		14,949,149
Public Float			$ 164,103
Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Current with reporting	Yes
Voluntary filer	No
Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Shell Company	false
Small Business	true
Emerging Growth Company	false
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Incorporation, State Country Name	DELAWARE
Entity Address, Address Line One	96 CUMMINGS POINT ROAD
Entity Address, City or Town	STAMFORD
Entity Address, State or Province	CONNECTICUT
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	06902
City Area Code	203
Local Phone Number	358-8000
Entity Listing, Par Value Per Share	$ 1.00

If the value is true, then the document is an amendment to previously-filed/accepted document.

No definition available.

Name:	dei_AmendmentFlag
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Area code of city

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dei_CityAreaCode
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

End date of current fiscal year in the format --MM-DD.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	xbrli:gMonthDayItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This is focus fiscal period of the document report. For a first quarter 2006 quarterly report, which may also provide financial information from prior periods, the first fiscal quarter should be given as the fiscal period focus. Values: FY, Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, H1, H2, M9, T1, T2, T3, M8, CY.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	dei:fiscalPeriodItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This is focus fiscal year of the document report in CCYY format. For a 2006 annual report, which may also provide financial information from prior periods, fiscal 2006 should be given as the fiscal year focus. Example: 2006.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	xbrli:gYearItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The end date of the period reflected on the cover page if a periodic report. For all other reports and registration statements containing historical data, it is the date up through which that historical data is presented. If there is no historical data in the report, use the filing date. The format of the date is CCYY-MM-DD.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The type of document being provided (such as 10-K, 10-Q, 485BPOS, etc). The document type is limited to the same value as the supporting SEC submission type, or the word 'Other'.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dei_DocumentType
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	dei:submissionTypeItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Address Line 1 such as Building Name, Street Name

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Name of the City or Town

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Code for the postal or zip code

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Name of the state or province.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A unique 10-digit SEC-issued value to identify entities that have filed disclosures with the SEC. It is commonly abbreviated as CIK.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation 12B
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityCentralIndexKey
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	dei:centralIndexKeyItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Indicate number of shares or other units outstanding of each of registrant's classes of capital or common stock or other ownership interests, if and as stated on cover of related periodic report. Where multiple classes or units exist define each class/interest by adding class of stock items such as Common Class A [Member], Common Class B [Member] or Partnership Interest [Member] onto the Instrument [Domain] of the Entity Listings, Instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Indicate 'Yes' or 'No' whether registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. This information should be based on the registrant's current or most recent filing containing the related disclosure.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	dei:yesNoItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Indicate if registrant meets the emerging growth company criteria.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation 12B
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Indicate whether the registrant is one of the following: (1) Large Accelerated Filer, (2) Accelerated Filer, (3) Non-accelerated Filer, (4) Smaller Reporting Company (Non-accelerated), (5) Smaller Reporting Accelerated Filer or (6) Smaller Reporting Company and Large Accelerated Filer. Definitions of these categories are stated in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. This information should be based on the registrant's current or most recent filing containing the related disclosure.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation 12B
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityFilerCategory
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	dei:filerCategoryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

State or Country Name where an entity is incorporated

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryName
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The par value per share of security quoted in same currency as Trading currency. Example: '0.01'.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityListingParValuePerShare
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

State aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to price at which the common equity was last sold, or average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter. The public float should be reported on the cover page of the registrants form 10K.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityPublicFloat
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The exact name of the entity filing the report as specified in its charter, which is required by forms filed with the SEC.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation 12B
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityRegistrantName
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Indicate if company meets the shell company criteria: a company with no or nominal operations, and with no or nominal assets or assets consisting solely of cash and cash equivalents.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation 12B
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityShellCompany
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Indicates that the company is a smaller reporting company with both a public float and revenues of less than $75 million.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation 12B
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntitySmallBusiness
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The Tax Identification Number (TIN), also known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN), is a unique 9-digit value assigned by the IRS.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation 12B
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	dei:nineDigitItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Indicate 'Yes' or 'No' if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityVoluntaryFilers
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	dei:yesNoItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Indicate 'Yes' or 'No' if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Is used on Form Type: 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, 20-F, 6-K, 10-K/A, 10-Q/A, 20-F/A, 6-K/A, N-CSR, N-Q, N-1A.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dei_EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	dei:yesNoItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Local phone number for entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dei_LocalPhoneNumber
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Trading symbol of an instrument as listed on an exchange.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dei_TradingSymbol
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TextBlockAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration