Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 06, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Details
Registrant CIK	0000701869
Fiscal Year End	--12-31
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-32244
Entity Registrant Name	INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	58-1407235
Entity Address, Address Line One	96 CUMMINGS POINT ROAD
Entity Address, City or Town	STAMFORD
Entity Address, State or Province	CT
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	06902
City Area Code	203
Local Phone Number	358-8000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $1.00 par value
Trading Symbol	IHC
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 192,788
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		14,850,921
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY