Note 5 - Deferred Compensation Plan (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Compensation Expense	$ 59,000	$ 56,000	$ 61,000
Percentage of Directors Award Vest on Meeting Certain Attendance Requirements	100.00%
Percentage of Key Employee Awards Vest in Year One Following Grant Date	10.00%
Percentage of Key Employee Awards Vest in Year Two Following Grant Date	20.00%
Percentage of Key Employee Awards Vest in Year Three Following Grant Date	30.00%
Percentage of Key Employee Awards Vest in Year Four Following Grant Date	40.00%
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Employee Compensation	$ 1,074,744	$ 961,463
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Share-based Awards Other than Options	$ 94,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 127 days
Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share	$ 45	$ 42.50
Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Compensation	$ 426,674	$ 988,378	994,708
Deferred Compensation Liability, Current and Noncurrent, Total	$ 5,248,656	4,821,982
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Granted	4,936
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding, Number, Ending Balance	3,059
Class B Redeemable Common Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	15,000
Dividend Declared [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Compensation	$ 129,000	115,000
Deferred Share and Phantom Shares [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Compensation Expense	394,000	956,000	710,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Employee Compensation	$ 83,000	$ 325,000	$ 241,000
Directors and Employees [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares, Ending Balance	72	183

DCP Holding CO 10-K